Trump RTO Chief Filmed Video From Home To Avoid Scrutiny

Scott Kupor, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and a key figure in President Donald Trump's initiative to mandate federal employees' return to the office, admitted to intentionally filming a video from his home while working remotely. This admission was made in a "hot mic" moment during an August 18 all-hands agency meeting, as exclusively reviewed by Fortune. Kupor expressed concern that if his remote work status were known, he would face criticism. He stated, "I was in my bedroom, but I was trying to find—because I knew someone was going to give me shit if like, they knew, ‘You were out of the office.’" To conceal his location, Kupor sought a "plain corner with a white wall" that was not recognizable as his residence.

During the meeting, Kupor asked an OPM communications team member, Kiki Nyoh, if the "Federal Friday" video, a social media series providing agency updates, appeared as though he was "stuck in a jail cell." A source confirmed to Fortune that Kupor was the one making these remarks. In response to Fortune's inquiry, Nyoh stated that Kupor was not considered to be teleworking on that particular day because he was "out of office." She further elaborated that Kupor "works around the clock, including nights and weekends" and highlighted OPM's "important efforts [in] restoring a high-performance based work culture and championing merit in the federal workforce."

The Trump administration has been a strong proponent of federal employees returning to in-person work. An executive order issued on Trump's first day in office in 2025 directed agencies to "take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis." This order included a provision allowing department and agency heads to make necessary exemptions. The context of Kupor's remarks underscores the administration's emphasis on in-office presence for federal workers, even as its own leaders navigate the complexities of remote work and public perception.

Kupor's role at OPM places him at the forefront of implementing the administration's return-to-office policy for the estimated 2.1 million federal employees. The policy aims to reverse the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work arrangements that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The administration's stance suggests a belief that in-person collaboration and supervision are essential for federal agency efficiency and productivity. Kupor's candid admission, however, reveals the personal challenges and strategic considerations involved in enforcing such policies, particularly when the individuals tasked with leading the charge are themselves subject to the same scrutiny.