Updated
Transition
Project 2025 wanted to hobble the federal workforce. DOGE has hastily done that, and more
The controversial policy blueprint sought to cut back on civil servants’ powers, but the Trump administration’s turbulent method of execution wasn’t part of the plan.
Management
SSA reorg plan contemplates field office closures, contradicting public statements
A March draft of the Social Security Administration's reorganization plan proposes "consolidating" field offices while shuttling customer service to AI and other automated platforms.
Workforce
DOGE guts HHS small business office
Only the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization executive director remains to advocate for small businesses at the Department of Health and Human Services, which obligated $39 billion in contracts last year.
Workforce
CISA to make comprehensive staff cuts in coming days, people familiar say
The nation’s premier cybersecurity agency, which sits in the Department of Homeland Security, has been in the Trump administration’s crosshairs for some time.
Workforce
Federal employee appeals board is fully functional again — for now
The removal of Cathy Harris, a Democratic member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, has been both blocked and upheld in court since President Donald Trump tried to fire her in February. The case will likely now go to the Supreme Court.
Defense
‘What a mess for me and many others’: DOD’s murky hiring freeze has civilians in limbo
Some employees are still living in hotels, their belongings shipped overseas.
Workforce
OPM, OMB nominees praise ‘at-will’ employment at confirmation hearing
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee considered the nominations of Scott Kupor to serve as OPM director and Eric Ueland to serve as OMB’s deputy director for management.
Exclusive
Management
Some agencies are notifying employees of their ‘Schedule F’ status
Agencies are submitting lists of employees who will lose civil service protections and some are taking a broad approach.
Management
Top oversight Dem files resolution to demand answers from DOGE on AI use
The resolution of inquiry from Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., would make the White House provide Congress with further information about DOGE’s use of federal data and AI.
Workforce
Pro-labor Republicans push Trump to rescind order busting most federal unions
House lawmakers on Wednesday introduced bipartisan legislation to nullify President Trump’s executive order stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights.
Management
Agencies may have to pay more for late contractor invoices due to Trump payment system overhaul
Stakeholders warned that the late payment issue could prompt companies to avoid doing business with the federal government.
Tech
Spending and workforce cuts will harm VA’s modernization work, Democrats say
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said cuts across VA are forcing the department “to decide between keeping staff on the floor, and investing in expensive equipment that may sit idle without enough personnel to operate it.”
Workforce
Judge further protects most fired probationary feds, though some may be newly vulnerable
A federal court has expanded the duration of the firing reversals but narrowed their geographical impact. A related case is sitting before the Supreme Court.
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.
Workforce
Labor groups: Trump’s union-busting EO amounts to ‘revenge’ for suing to block workforce cuts
Democratic lawmakers warned that assaults on civil servants and organized labor are common early steps to consolidate power by authoritarian regimes.
Management
Thousands of feds reminded they ‘have no reasonable expectation of privacy’ at work and may be monitored
The message greeted employees as they logged into their government devices and systems this week.
Management
FTC commissioners sue to block Trump from firing them
The president has sought to remove several Biden appointees ahead of the end of their terms.
Breaking News
Workforce
Trump order aims to outlaw most government unions on ‘national security’ grounds
An as-yet unpublished executive order purports to utilize a little-used provision allowing the president to restrict collective bargaining for national security reasons to exempt most federal jobs from union protections.
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.
Defense