Oversight
GAO: Trump violated law for sixth time in withholding FEMA funds
A new Government Accountability Office report says the Trump administration delayed funding for federal programs that provide food, shelter, and temporary housing, raising questions about compliance with federal law and the timing of aid.
Management
AI-based suicide prevention efforts at VA always have human involvement, official says
“We do not currently have any plans that I'm aware of to use AI as a treatment device instead of providers,” Evan Carey, acting director of VA’s National Artificial Intelligence Institute, told lawmakers.
Management
Rule limiting ‘outstanding’ performance ratings for agency senior executives finalized
The final rule also strikes promotion of diversity and inclusion as a criteria for appraising senior executives.
Management
House GOP unveils 7-week stopgap funding bill, Dems say it makes shutdown more likely
Congressional Democrats are not backing down from their funding bill demands even as Republicans move forward with a plan to avert a shutdown.
Workforce
Protestors denounce cuts to NASA’s staff, budget and union rights
Several speakers at the protest also urged Congress to pass a continuing resolution that prevents the Trump administration from impounding agency funding.
Management
Cuts to CFPB staffing could complicate enforcement of Trump’s executive order on ‘debanking’
An executive order seeking to stop banks from discriminating against customers could be undermined by the administration’s gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which had been investigating the practice.
Oversight
Why GovCon should care about Trump’s disdain for oversight and accountability
COMMENTARY | The administration's push to undermine watchdog agencies may bring short-term gains, but will more likely damage the market and good government over the long haul.
Workforce
Trump's mass probationary firings were illegal, judge concludes, but he won't order re-hirings
Agencies will have to send new letters to 25,000 impacted staff explaining the decision.
Tech
Agriculture taps DOGE associate as its tech lead, reassigning previous CIO
Sam Berry, who’s been at USDA for months as part of the Department of Government Efficiency, is the agency's new chief information officer.
Updated
Oversight
HUD asked grantees to apply for soon-to-be-expired funding 3 separate times. Democrats want a watchdog review.
President Donald Trump recently replaced the acting head of the Housing and Urban Development Department’s inspector general office, which would look into the matter.
Management
Federal agencies threaten, discipline employees for criticizing or mocking Charlie Kirk
The Trump administration is “tracking…very closely” social media posts suggesting Kirk should not be mourned, some agencies say.
Workforce
House NDAA would exempt Defense civilians from union ban
Union officials said Friday that a discharge petition Is just two signatures shy of the 218 needed to force a floor vote on legislation to undo President Trump’s executive order barring collective bargaining at most federal agencies.
Management
Trump Education Department to divert grants from colleges serving students of color
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the department would withhold $350 million in minority-serving institution grants from 800 colleges and universities, saying the grants "discriminate by restricting eligibility to institutions that meet government-mandated racial quotas."
Management
State officials wrestle with federal data demands
Speakers during a recent webinar said federal access is “not unlimited,” and that certain safeguards are in place “for good reason.”
Oversight
Oversight of contract security guards at federal buildings is the focus of a House-passed bill
The legislation also would require the Federal Protective Service to overhaul the digital system for recording when such personnel are on duty. The Government Accountability Office has warned that the system is not properly functioning.
Tech
US needs an agency to call ‘balls and strikes’ on digital IDs, lawmaker says
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., said Congress needs to create a federal body capable of auditing identity verification technologies to lay the groundwork for a broad embrace of digital IDs.
Pay & Benefits
What to know before setting your 2026 retirement date
Immediate vs. deferred retirement, the three-day rule, and why the last day of the month often makes the most sense.
Management
Democrats rally behind hardball strategy to upcoming shutdown fight
House and Senate Democratic leaders say they are united in making policy demands as part of upcoming spending talks.
Exclusive
Management
ODNI expected to shrink counterintelligence, counterterror centers
The steps are the latest in a series of moves that several current and former officials see as enabling broad vulnerability to foreign espionage attempts.
Workforce