A coalition of federal employee labor unions, nonprofits and local governments argue that USDA is trying to circumvent guardrails on the department's reorganization established by Congress.

Judge extends temporary pause in USDA relocations as he considers indefinite freeze

Sponsor Content

Where federal AI is working — and how agencies can get there faster

Federal agencies are moving beyond AI pilots. Discover five high-impact areas where AI is delivering measurable mission results—and how to scale faster.

Oversight

Dozens of federal immigration employees stayed in sensitive positions despite security concerns, inspector general reports

Homeland Security Department officials pushed back on the report, contending that “[i]t is simply incorrect to suggest that these employees occupied national security positions for years without appropriate vetting.”

Tech

Agencies withheld records needed to verify DOGE data safeguards, GAO says

A review of six agencies could not establish the full extent of DOGE’s system access or whether security rules were followed. Two agencies challenged the watchdog’s authority to investigate.

Updated Workforce

‘Nobody knows anything.’ Displaced IRS staff move from one project to another with few details why

IRS employees who completed a stint in taxpayer services are moving onto their next assignment, and some IT executives coming back from an extended period of paid administrative leave

Sponsor Content

Federal Retirement Checklist: 7 Key Benefits You Can’t Afford To Ignore

Maximize your federal retirement benefits. Learn key TSP, pension, Social Security, tax strategies, and costly mistakes to avoid.

Updated Tech

OpenAI agents accessed Census, SEC data and tried to hack Education website

The disclosure follows warnings from former officials in August that government systems could face unintended intrusions by autonomous AI agents.

Tech

SSA’s lead had set a goal of 200M online accounts this year — experts say that might prove challenging

The Trump administration recently achieved 105 million online accounts, and lawyers are increasingly encouraging clients to make them as more services go digital.

Management

$25,000 bonuses for top-performing feds? OPM makes it easier for agencies to award them

The HR agency also recently capped the percentage of civil servants who can earn the top two performance ratings in fiscal 2026.

VOICES
Management

Lawmaker warns intelligence contractors' Trump ballroom donations may be scrutinized

Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, wants to examine whether contributions were tied to federal contracts or access to administration officials.

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Management

Shutdown mass-layoff policy rescinded as part of settlement with unions

The Trump administration sent reduction in force notices to thousands of employees during the 43-day government shutdown last fall.

Management

Following court order, OPM replaces 'favorite EO' question for jobseekers

The Office of Personnel Management’s latest essay question for federal job applicants asks less about their personal politics and more about their ability to follow instructions.

Oversight

Watchdog won’t discipline agencies over partisan shutdown posts but warns against ‘derogatory’ messaging

Many departments blamed congressional Democrats for last year’s funding lapse by posting banners on agency websites and modifying furloughed employees’ out-of-office messages.

Management

FDA nominee faces bipartisan scrutiny over vaccines and abortion drug

Heidi Overton drew pointed questions from senators on vaccine safety and mifepristone during her confirmation hearing Thursday.

Oversight

ICE’s $45 billion detention expansion is littered with costly missteps, watchdog reports

The Government Accountability Office criticized plans to sell recently purchased warehouses, the shuttered “Alligator Alcatraz” facility and spending millions to detain an average of 16 migrants in fiscal 2026 at Guantanamo Bay.

Management

VA’s contracting crackdown gave some staff hours to do hundreds of reviews

VA's watchdog office noted these reviews happened quickly under strict deadlines, but generally complied with requirements for terminating contracts. 

Management

GSA claims it found $1.2B in suspected COVID-related contracting fraud

The agency previously said it found $13 billion in suspected procurement-related fraud and is investigating other sources of potential fraud.

Pay & Benefits

Your federal benefits changed this year. Here’s what to know

A guide to the retirement, insurance, Social Security and TSP changes affecting federal employees, retirees and survivors in 2026, plus what to watch for in 2027.

Workforce

FLRA ruling puts ball back in courts’ court on Trump’s union EOs

The National Treasury Employees Union said Wednesday that a recent Federal Labor Relations Authority decision supports its argument that it cannot seek redress through administrative channels.

Workforce

Trust in government is sinking, but a new survey suggests civil servants’ stock is rising

The percentages of respondents who said most civil servants are competent and committed to helping people “like me” increased to record highs — at 65% and 61%, respectively.

Exclusive Management

IRS and Social Security will see more employees quit without advanced leave, senators warn

Senate Democrats warn employees will “inevitably leave” both agencies following a suspension of advanced leave, adding to deep staffing cuts.

Updated Tech

ShinyHunters claims FBI data theft, demands bureau retract cyber warning

The hacking group says it obtained sensitive employee and applicant records. The full scope of the claimed breach remains unclear.