Merit-based hiring framing masks personnel_capture mechanism affecting federal workforce. A-score: capture(4) reflects systematic control of hiring processes, rule_of_law(3) for administrative procedure alterations, civil_rights(2) for potential discriminatory impact, election(2) for patronage implications. Mechanism modifier 1.3 for personnel_capture, scope 1.2 for federal-wide implementation, severity multipliers for durability(1.2), reversibility(1.1), precedent(1.2) yield final A=45.5. B-score: moderate hype through policy branding and framing, outrage_bait(3), media_friendliness(3), intentionality(6) for deliberate framing yields B=22.4. Delta=+23.1 clearly exceeds +10 threshold with A>=25, qualifying as List A constitutional damage event.