Defense

DHS Chief: Without Cities’ Help, ‘We Have to Go Into Neighborhoods’ to Find the Undocumented

Local law enforcement officials “want to cooperate with us,” says John Kelly.

Oversight

How Democrats Learned to Love Trump's Negotiating Style

The Dems are trying to take advantage of the president’s tendency to make maximalist claims then retreat from them.

Oversight

Play of the Day: The Stages of the Wall Bargaining

It went from "Mexico will pay" to "a metaphor," so what's next?

Management

The Neuroscience of Asking Insightful Questions

When you solve problems for the people who report to you, you rob people of the chance to do their own thinking.

Route Fifty

Mayors, Sessions Talk ‘Sanctuary Cities’ as Federal Judge Blocks Trump Order

“We don’t have all the clarity that we need,” Austin, Texas Mayor Steve Adler told Route Fifty.

Nextgov

Congressional Staffers to Get Cybersecurity Crash Course

The training is part of a public awareness campaign in President Obama’s Cybersecurity National Action Plan.

Pay & Benefits

Overall Public-Private Sector Compensation Gap Has Widened, CBO Finds

Analysis notes comparisons are difficult.

Management

Lawmakers Continue Challenging GSA on Trump Hotel Deal

Sen. Carper calls for Public Works panel to probe possible conflicts of interest.

Tech

How Will the Federal Government Protect Nuclear Safety in an Anti-Regulatory Climate?

The U.S. nuclear industry is struggling to compete with cheap natural gas and manage radioactive waste. Budget cuts and anti-regulatory pressure could worsen things by weakening federal oversight.

Nextgov

Criminals Will Need a 'Face Off' Machine to Beat Biometrics If IARPA Project Succeeds

The intelligence community’s R&D unit awarded a few groups funds to prevent criminals from tricking biometric scanners.

Management

Justice IG Blasts Marshals Service Over Contractor-Run Prison

Watchdog cites understaffing and triple bunking of Leavenworth detainees.

Management

Trump Administration Will Ask Career Feds How to Do Things Better -- or Not at All

Architect of government restructuring plan wants it to be key part of Trump's legacy.

Route Fifty

D.C. Region Will Conduct ‘Full Scale’ Terrorism Drill Wednesday

Emergency responders will play out a scenario similar to the terror events that took place in Paris in November 2015.

Management

Trump Signals That He Doesn't Want a Government Shutdown After All

For the second time in a high-stakes congressional negotiation, he saw his bluff get called.

Management

The Many and Varied Cost Estimates of Trump's Border Wall

Call it anywhere from less than $10 billion to more than $60 billion—depending on who is counting.

Management

Whistleblower Advocates Bemoan Merit Board’s Lack of Quorum

Denial of extensions for case reviews could “starve” those who disclose potential wrongdoing.

Oversight

Appointee Watch: Several Steps Forward, One Step Back

After a slow start, key agency positions are being filled.

Management

A Psychologist Explains Why Changing Your Life Isn’t as Hard as You Think

We are much more adaptable than we give ourselves credit for.

Route Fifty

Likely Cause of Oroville Dam Spillway Collapse Released by Calif. Investigators

Also in our State and Local Daily Digest: Montana’s REAL ID compliance loan; Philly mayor’s marijuana comments; leaders in Missouri city advised to impeach their mayor.

Management

Creating an Executive Corps for All of Government

Federal executives are faced with daunting challenges in increasingly complex and fast-moving times. More often than not they require a multiagency response.