Oversight
Someone robbed the SEC during the shutdown
An individual has been arrested, but the stolen materials have not been recovered.
Workforce
Supreme Court rejects lower court bid to review immigration judge gag order
Justices reversed an appeals court decision that would have greenlit a fact-finding expedition into whether President Trump had effectively nullified review of personnel policies under the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act.
Management
Disability advocates sue over website accessibility delays
The National Federation of the Blind sued the departments of Justice and Health and Human Services after a rule requiring government websites to be accessible was delayed for a year.
Workforce
They were told they’d move on. A year later, many fired federal employees say they haven’t been able to
A group of former federal probationary employees surveyed more than 300 of their fired colleagues to assess their job searches, mental health and several other topics.
Workforce
OPM proposes requiring all feds to sign an NDA
Experts warned the measure, when combined with the federal HR agency’s new power to target employees’ suitability for federal employment, creates a new pathway for Trump administration officials to purge those deemed insufficiently loyal to the president.
Management
Beekeepers are losing a key USDA backstop at the worst possible time
As colony losses mount and pollinator research faces broader cuts, the planned closure of the Beltsville Bee Research Lab threatens a critical line of support for the nation’s food system.
Oversight
FAA surges medical staff after whistleblower alleges issues with certifying pilots and controllers
Hundreds of pilots may have been flying without proper medical clearance, the whistleblower had alleged.
Management
Congress must tie any USPS bailout to real reform
COMMENTARY | Before Congress delivers any financial relief, it should demand enforceable guardrails on service, prices and oversight.
Exclusive
Management
The White House is ordering agencies to place its new app on all employees’ government phones
The newly created, often overtly political app places the Trump administration into unprecedented and “dangerous” territory, IT experts say.
Management
Agency leaders back GSA bid for full access to federal building repair funds
Officials argued that GSA’s deferred maintenance backlog has increased to an estimated $26 billion, in part, because Congress puts annual restrictions on amounts the agency can spend from the Federal Buildings Fund.
Updated
Management
Gabbard to resign as director of national intelligence, citing husband’s health
Her exit marks the end of a 16-month tenure overseeing the nation’s spy agencies, where the former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate sought to reshape ODNI around Trump’s priorities.
Pay & Benefits
NTEU asks Trump administration to ease telework rules as gas prices spike
The union also called for an increase in gas reimbursement rates as the president’s war against Iran continues to disrupt the world’s oil supply.
Tech
Ryan Donaghy returns to CISA as first chief operating officer
Donaghy previously served in acting leadership roles across two of the agency’s divisions and moved to the Transportation Security Administration in October.
Oversight
Agency partnerships are a potential financial lifeline for USPS, watchdog reports
Some of the inspector general’s suggestions included providing biometric services at more locations and working with state and local governments.
Defense
Army’s transformation efforts are under fire 1 year in
Hegseth is rethinking his order to offload old systems and bring in new tech.
Workforce
Appeals court upholds order reinstating VA’s union contracts
A unanimous three-judge panel found that only a district judge’s requirement that the Veterans Affairs Department “comply” with its collective bargaining agreements should be put on hold while litigation proceeds.
Pay & Benefits
What federal employees get wrong about divorce and retirement
Errors involving survivor benefits, health coverage and court orders can create financial problems years after a marriage ends.
Management
DOGE is about making government services easier to access, its head says
In a rare public speaking appearance in which DOGE was discussed, its acting administrator Amy Gleason painted a different vision of its work than that pursued during the government-slashing efforts last year.
Management
TSA workforce, aviation leaders challenge Trump push to expand privatized airport screening
The proposal would require hundreds of small airports to join the Screening Partnership Program and shift thousands of TSA jobs.
Management