Workforce
Judge orders Trump administration to bring back U.S. Agency for Global Media staff
The president in an executive order sought to eliminate the agency’s non-statutory components and functions, but a federal judge criticized how officials determined what parts of USAGM aren't required by law.
News
Transgender troops ban, nationwide freeze argued in U.S. appeals court
The Trump administration's ban on transgender service members faced further judicial scrutiny in front of a panel of judges Tuesday ahead of a potential appeal to the Supreme Court.
Workforce
Trump laid off nearly all the federal workers who investigate firefighter deaths
At least two-thirds of the employees at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were notified on April 1 that they had been laid off or will be in June. That includes almost all of the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.
Updated
Management
State to slash 15% of domestic staff, eliminate 132 offices
Layoffs expected by July 1, though embassy and overseas closures are not yet part of the plan
Workforce
Trump administration lacks standing to sue to enforce anti-labor executive order, union says
The American Federation of Government Employees argued that the Trump administration’s effort to procure a “declarative” judgment in favor of an executive order stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights is effectively fishing for a federal judge’s advisory opinion, which is unlawful.
Tech
SSA is rolling out a new chatbot for employees
The agency has said that it intends to use technology and AI to make up for workforce cuts.
Management
There’s no more DEI at DOD, watchdog finds
But most of the roles were eliminated last year by an act of Congress.
Updated
Workforce
As re-firings begin, judge demands Trump administration tell probationary employees they were not let go for poor performance
Court declines to block more firings of recently hired staff, saying individual agencies are now making their own decisions.
Oversight
DOGE is building a ‘master database’ of sensitive information, top Oversight Democrat says
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is calling on the Social Security Administration’s watchdog to investigate whistleblower claims that the efficiency team is compiling potentially sensitive data across several government agencies.
Management
Rubio denies that Trump will politicize the Foreign Service and slash embassies
State Department says a draft executive order, which would have created new loyalty requirements for career staff and eliminated many offices, is fake. A reorganization of the department is still expected shortly.
Workforce
OPM proposes rule to formally revive Schedule F
The federal government’s dedicated HR agency estimates that 50,000 federal workers will be stripped of their civil service protections and become at-will employees.
Updated
Workforce
VA is selectively enforcing Trump’s order stripping workers of union rights
VA Secretary Doug Collins this week issued a notice allowing employees at the department whose unions have not been involved with lawsuits against the Trump administration to retain their collective bargaining rights.
Updated
Workforce
Mass layoffs paused at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
A union argued that CFPB has violated an order limiting how it can conduct reductions in force.
Workforce
SBA hit with more layoffs
The agency's COVID-19 EIDL Servicing Center staff were told they would be fired on Friday.
Management
Smarter, Faster, Lighter: A roadmap for agile evidence building
COMMENTARY | With DOGE initiatives fundamentally changing the state of federal policy evaluation, it could be time to embrace more evidence-based approaches to assess agency actions.
Breaking News
Workforce
White House extends federal hiring freeze until July for most
The Trump administration’s halt on federal civilian hiring, which was supposed to be lifted Monday, will be extended through July, per a memo released late Thursday.
Workforce
Unions sue to stop demolition of mediator agency
The congressionally authorized Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service worked to avoid costly litigation between labor groups and their employers—in both the private and public sectors—until President Trump ordered officials to effectively shutter the agency last month.
Tech
Trump builds on Biden efforts to modernize permitting technology
While many praised the effort as common-sense, workforce cuts across government, as well as the administration’s deregulatory efforts, have raised questions about implementation.
Management
Trump administration wants new headquarters for the Housing and Urban Development Department
The headquarters announcement comes days after the president repealed decades-old executive orders in an effort to reshape where agencies decide to establish their office locations.
Management