Transition
Senate Democrats call for DOGE to halt until details are provided
The letter to the White House chief of staff and counsel notes that some of billionaire Elon Musk’s actions via DOGE “may be illegal or unconstitutional.”
Updated
Workforce
Judge extends pause on ‘deferred resignation’ deadline
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole reportedly said he was considering converting the existing temporary restraining order blocking the administration from advancing its deferred resignation program into a preliminary injunction, but he did not indicate how he would rule in the case.
Updated
Management
Ethics and whistleblower officials fired by Trump
Hampton Dellinger, the ousted head of the Office of Special Counsel, filed a lawsuit that argued his removal was unlawful, and a federal judge reinstated him at least through Thursday.
Workforce
Making sense of the chaotic state of the civil service
COMMENTARY | Answers to eight questions you may be struggling with after the “deferred resignation” offer.
Workforce
Trump exempted public safety roles from his hiring freeze. Federal firefighters, prison guards and food inspectors wonder why they don’t count.
Current and former employees say public safety agencies are still freezing hiring they claim to have exempted and liken the approach to a 'self-imposed gunshot wound to the head.'
Updated
Workforce
Federal judge blocks USAID leave notices and reinstates workers
Attorneys representing the Trump administration confirmed Friday that upwards of 2,200 employees, many of whom are stationed overseas, would have been put on administrative leave Friday night, absent the court’s intervention.
Exclusive
Management
Federal prisons to house ICE detainees as Trump furthers immigration crackdown
The move raises a series of questions as staff remain unclear on how their responsibilities could change.
Workforce
Trump administration environmental justice removals cut across agencies
Agencies leaders placed nearly 200 on administrative leave as they wound down programs at the Justice and Energy departments and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Management
USPS turns a profit during busy season as DeJoy says his reforms are taking hold
The Postal Service will next look to reduce its headcount, continue consolidations and launch new products, though it still expects to lose money this year.
Transition
What to do on the day after?
COMMENTARY | Once Elon Musk and crew burn it all down, here’s how we might rebuild from the ashes.
Management
Musk's role as ‘special government employee’ raises ethics questions
The SpaceX founder and CEO's moves across federal agencies break with tradition and could result in legal action.
Breaking News
Management
Russ Vought, champion of Schedule F and slashing agency budgets, wins confirmation to OMB
Trump's pick for budget chief was confirmed by the Senate after Democrats held the floor for a full day to speak in opposition to him.
Management
Trump DOJ’s focus on immigration will hurt crime-fighting efforts, Democrats argue
Senior officials in the Trump administration have recently redirected DOJ personnel and resources toward immigration enforcement.
Pay & Benefits
The unplanned retirement dilemma
If you hadn’t given much thought to retirement before receiving the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" email on Jan. 28, you may be in for a few surprises—not all of them pleasant.
Updated
Workforce
Trump administration’s 'deferred resignation' deadline blocked until next week
OPM is required to notify all employees who received an initial "deferred resignation" offer by Thursday evening that the deadline for accepting the legally dubious offer has been pushed until Monday.
Workforce
Many federal supervisors this week had just hours to send tweet-length justifications to save their employees’ jobs
OPM renewed its push at some agencies to glean information on recently hired federal employees.
Management
OPM asks to dismiss email server lawsuit, citing misinterpretation of law
The agency notably released a privacy impact assessment for the dubious email server used to mass-message federal employees about a deferred resignation offer on the same day as the legal dismissal request.
Transition
Congressional Democrats tell skeptical protestors they’ll stop Trump’s elimination of USAID
Members of Congress who spoke at Wednesday’s rally said an upcoming government funding deadline could be an opportunity to stifle Trump’s plans to weaken federal agencies.
Transition
Musk’s DOGE efforts pose a ‘constitutional crisis,’ experts warn
Elon Musk has spent the first two weeks of the Trump administration parachuting into government offices, leaving extensive — and some say legally prohibited — changes in his wake.
Management