Management
Civilian agency spending cratered during shutdown
October spending during the shutdown dropped by as much as 80% for some agencies compared to October 2024.
Oversight
Lawmakers call for probe of how firm tied to Kristi Noem got piece of $220M DHS ad contracts
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has come under fire after allegations that a Republican consulting firm with ties to her and department leadership had been awarded an ad campaign contract.
Management
DOGE no longer has ‘centralized leadership’ under White House tech team, personnel head says
The team that was altered to house DOGE — formerly the U.S. Digital Service — is also still doing its own technology work across agencies.
Defense
Pentagon investigates Sen. Mark Kelly after he appears in video blasted by Trump
The Defense Department’s inquiry has intensified tensions between the administration and Democratic lawmakers while spotlighting the limits of military law over members of Congress.
Workforce
Correctional officers sue for restoration of union rights
The American Federation of Government Employees’ agency-specific lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s executive orders aimed at excising unions from most federal agencies accused the U.S. Bureau of Prisons of arbitrary and capricious decision-making.
Management
Ex-feds join forces to reimagine government post-Trump
The nonprofit Democracy Forward has tapped more than a dozen former government workers as fellows to generate proposals to improve their former agencies’ effectiveness.
Defense
Foreign spies are targeting Army soldiers, civilians and families, official warns
Current and former federal workers, especially those with security clearances, should be aware of the attempts, an Army intelligence chief said in a November memo.
Management
House Science Dems call for investigation into NASA Goddard cuts
The administration’s ongoing push to close labs and facilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center “risks permanently degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities with these moves,” Democratic members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee wrote.
Management
New federal student debt rule seen as tool to enforce Trump agenda
A new Trump administration rule, set to take effect in July, restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program has drawn multiple lawsuits.
Defense
Trump: Telling troops to refuse illegal orders is 'seditious behavior'
"Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” six Democratic lawmakers said in a video. "TRAITORS!!!" Trump responded.
Management
Agency layoff rules to get an overhaul under nearly finalized Trump administration proposal
OPM’s reduction in force revamp plan will put performance ratings over tenure and strip some employees of protections.
Tech
ICE — overwhelmed with applicants — leans on cyber talent program to speed tech hiring
ICE’s acting CIO, Dustin Goetz, said the agency will need more personnel as it seeks to meet sweeping deportation and detainment demands set by the White House.
Workforce
A federal employee morale survey is worthwhile...but not this way
COMMENTARY | The future of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey may be in question, but while the Partnership for Public Service aims to preserve its own version of the employee poll, there may be another way to gauge the organizational climate of the federal government.
Management
CFPB to issue mass furlough by year's end and transfer outstanding cases to DOJ
The initiative marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to close the bureau.
Exclusive
Management
Trump admin acknowledges difficulties in transferring Education programs to other agencies, internal documents show
The work Education has done so far is "minuscule" compared to what's to come, department says.
Tech
Login.gov director departs for the private sector
Whoever officially leads the government’s identity proofing service next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.
Management
Democrats try again to reestablish legal deference to agencies on regulations
The bicameral bill also seeks to limit the ability of businesses to influence the rulemaking process.
Pay & Benefits
Mailbag Week: Retirement applications and processing
A look at common retirement-processing snags, what causes delays and where OPM’s newer systems fit into the picture.
Oversight
House Dems urge Trump administration to act on health insurance claim denials
Reps. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., call on the Labor Department’s EBSA to strengthen staffing, improve data collection and enhance appeals protections as claim denials continue to harm participants and beneficiaries.
Management