political appointee
(5) The term “political appointee” means an individual who is— (A) employed in a position described under sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5 (relating to the Executive Schedule); (B) a limited term appointee, limited emergency appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 5 ; or (C) employed in a position of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations , or successor regulation.