Oversight
Senate Democrats want details on DOGE and DHS attempts to access IRS data
The IRS reportedly rejected the broad requests for taxpayer information, but the lawmakers worry recent actions have “left the door open for future requests.”
Pay & Benefits
Stopgap bill includes permanent pay raises for firefighters
Federal wildland firefighters secured new special salary pay tables at all levels through the six-month continuing resolution package after Congress spent 2024 averting numerous pay cliffs.
Management
Judge: Musk and Trump’s effort to disband USAID is likely unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang found that the Trump administration and Elon Musk violated the constitutional separation of powers and the Appointments Clause when it ordered the shuttering of the foreign aid agency.
Defense
Pentagon hiring freeze holds previously approved job moves hostage
Civilians have sent their belongings overseas but are trapped at their duty stations.
Defense
Pentagon’s efforts to slash civilian workforce continue to cause confusion
Most civilian promotions and internal transfers are on hold pending new guidance.
Management
Trump appeals rulings that blocked his firings of Democrats on independent federal boards
The Trump administration argued that current law limiting the reasons for the president to remove members of independent government boards is unconstitutional.
Updated
Workforce
Agencies are placing reinstated employees in leave status. Judge says that violates his order.
To date, only the Transportation Department is promising its reinstated probationary employees will soon be back on the job.
Workforce
Trump continues to curtail union rights and career pipelines
Guidance issued by the Office of Personnel Management last week instructs agencies to ignore union contract provisions on reductions in force, and apply its policies.
Management
Experts fear global media agency’s gutting will strip key tools against foreign propaganda
U.S. Agency for Global Media programs serve a critical function in the face of U.S. adversaries’ efforts to wage information warfare against American allies and regions of critical interest, an influence operations analyst said.
Workforce
CISA works to contact probationary employees for reinstatement after court order
Trump officials have vowed to downsize the nation’s leading cybersecurity agency. Ex-officials have said the moves would be harmful to national security.
Management
Trump overturned two Biden rules, Congress set to clear more for repeal
The president is prioritizing deregulation in his second term.
News
Shutdown averted: Enough Senate Democrats vote with the GOP to pass a government funding bill
Democrats were split on the vote, with some wanting to use it as leverage to fight Department of Government Efficiency cuts.
Tech
US spy chief probing classified chat rooms to pursue leakers
Tulsi Gabbard said recent examples of unauthorized leaks involve data about Iran, Israel, U.S.-Russia relations and activities in ODNI’s counterintelligence office.
Workforce
Union sues DHS to protect TSA screeners’ collective bargaining rights
The American Federation of Government Employees accused the Trump administration of retaliating against the labor group over their efforts to block the mass firing of probationary workers across government.
Exclusive
Management
SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries
The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.
Management
DOGE to work with USPS to find efficiencies, DeJoy says
The mailing agency will work with GSA and the group led by Elon Musk, who has called for Postal Service privatization.
Workforce
Veteran suicide hotline employees permitted to work remotely after concerns that in-office requirement would hurt service
One Veterans Crisis Line supervisor said the return to office mandate was creating confusion among staff, presented logistical challenges and could hurt recruitment.
Management
The DOGE-acolypse
COMMENTARY | All of Washington is a stage as the drama between DOGE and the three branches of the federal government play out in real time.
News
Government shutdown prospects increase after Schumer says Democrats won’t vote for GOP funding bill
Democrats have argued that the shutdown fight is an opportunity to push back on Elon Musk-backed agency spending and staff cuts.
Workforce