Defense

Hegseth gives Defense leaders less than two weeks to lay out staffing cuts, changes

A Friday memo opens a new phase in the Defense secretary’s hurried effort to shrink the department's workforce.

Workforce

More USAID staff set to be cut as the Trump administration tries to move agency into the State Department

The president’s attempts to transfer the U.S. Agency for International Development into the State Department have prompted legal challenges.

Management

Dems call for Bisignano to withdraw as SSA tweaks controversial plan

The Social Security Administration announced Wednesday that the plan to end phone service for benefits applications and direct deposit changes will no longer apply to Americans filing for disability payments.

Breaking News Workforce

HHS to lay off 10,000 employees and cut overall workforce by 20,000

Some components will be hit harder than others as the department says it is still eyeing ways to further "streamline its operations and agencies."

Workforce

HUD won’t grant rehired probationary workers back pay, FEHB benefits, despite law requiring it

Title 5 of the U.S. Code mandates that when a federal employee is reinstated following an improper adverse personnel action, their employing agency must grant them back pay for their time spent off the job.

Transition

Democratic attorneys general face off with Trump administration over rehiring fired feds

U.S. District Judge James Bredar told the plaintiffs and government he will need more details by 10 a.m. ET Thursday before he can make a decision.

Management

Senators grill Bisignano about contact with SSA and DOGE officials

The nominee to lead the Social Security Administration acknowledged knowing one DOGE operative for 20 years, but denied improper contacts with officials prior to his confirmation, despite whistleblower accounts to the contrary.

Updated Management

Bill to fast track approval of Trump and Musk agency cuts advanced by House committee

Presidents have previously had the authority to propose government reorganization plans that Congress must approve or reject.

Management

After DeJoy's departure, postal unions vow to fight any effort to upend USPS

The union officials are optimistic the postal board will choose a leader who believes in a public Postal Service.

Defense

DOD cuts $580M in programs, contracts and grants

The latest round of Pentagon spending cuts — which include a delayed HR software program — brings the department’s running total of eliminated programs to $800 million since the start of the Trump administration. 

Tech

SSA tech shop to be led by another DOGE associate

Scott Coulter will replace the agency’s previous CIO, who has been moved to a senior advisor position at SSA.

News

Judge bars DOGE access to sensitive personal information at 3 federal agencies

OPM and the Education and Treasury departments are subject to a temporary injunction barring them from disclosing certain information to DOGE while a privacy lawsuit is ongoing.

Management

DOGE's attempt to be a force for genuine reform will depend on its decision-making

COMMENTARY | The Elon Musk-backed efficiency initiative should rely on sound decision-making as well as selecting sustainable preferences, argue two scholars.

Workforce

Trump memo grants governmentwide firing power to OPM

Experts speculated that the measure is intended to address recent judgments against the administration’s workforce actions or to grant DOGE-aligned officials the ability to fire resisters.

Tech

USPS plans to use AI to enhance customer service 

USPS Vice President for Customer Experience Marc McCrery said the agency is looking to switch its call center platform to a cloud-based application this summer, which he said will be “the start of our AI journey.”

Management

GSA to ‘quadruple' in size to centralize procurement across the government

The head of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service told employees at a Thursday meeting that the agency will “do about $400 billion” in procurement management under this effort.

Workforce

SSA cancels telework with just a weekend’s notice

Union officials said the sudden and indefinite suspension of most bargaining unit employees’ telework agreements amounts to a de facto termination, despite acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek’s promise to honor labor contracts.