Workforce

State Dept. further prepares for mass layoffs even as court block remains

A judge specified last month that State, like most major agencies, cannot yet move forward with RIFs.

News

How shrinking the EPA could make wildfire smoke even more dangerous

Proposed jobs and grants cuts by the Trump administration could have detrimental impacts in air quality monitoring at the federal, state and local government levels, stakeholders say.

Management

Democratic leaders slam Trump effort to transfer some Education grant programs to Labor Department

The interagency agreement between Education and Labor regarding the grant programs is paused due to an injunction that deals with reductions in force.

Management

Senate reconciliation bill would give Trump ‘carte blanche’ to reorganize agencies, lay off feds

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee authorizes a $100 million war chest for OMB to reorganize government without congressional oversight.

Breaking News Workforce

Judge blocks State Department layoffs

The Trump administration has sought special dispensation to imminently cut staff at State, but employees won a—potentially short-lived—reprieve.

Workforce

Agencies ready to move quickly on RIFs if court block falls

Across government, behind-the-scenes preparations for layoffs have taken place or are ongoing.

Oversight

Potential shortcomings in USAID–State Department merger plan raise concerns

The inspector general found that the new hiring numbers aren’t based on any workforce strategy, the realignment implementation plan isn’t finished and the agency team overseeing the transfer is set to disband.

Management

Here's where the State Department is planning its layoffs and changes

Various national security offices, as well as units that cover Asia and the Middle East, will be consolidated or slashed. Thousands of employees across divisions are targeted for cuts.

Workforce

Most major agencies are now indefinitely barred from issuing mass layoffs

The Trump administration's plans to reorganize agencies are "likely unconstitutional," judge says.

Management

Judge says she is inclined to further pause layoffs at most major agencies

RIF plans have been frozen for two weeks, but federal court suggests they are unconstitutional and implementation will remain prohibited indefinitely.

Breaking News Workforce

Judge bars Education Department from carrying out mass layoffs

Education is unable to carry out its statutory responsibilities and the Trump administration must receive congressional approval before dismantling the department, judge rules.

Management

How William Howard Taft’s approach to government efficiency differed from Elon Musk’s slash-and-burn tactics

President Taft worked with Congress to launch his effort to streamline government, while Trump has taken a different route.

Exclusive Management

State Dept. cuts poised to be more severe than previously outlined with 3,400 employees on the chopping block

There were bipartisan concerns from lawmakers about a planned break-up of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, according to meeting notes. Office eliminations are expected by June 2.

Workforce

19 states sue Trump administration over mass layoffs at HHS

States argue key programs on which they have relied are no longer operating and ask the court to reinstate workers.

Workforce

Some agencies are walking back workforce cuts with critical functions at risk of failure

The agency working on bird flu response is among those making contingency plans to slow down or pause work due to staff shortages.

Tech

Transportation consolidates IT personnel and decision-making

Two memos document a new organizational structure that establishes the CIO as the point person for all IT activity across the agency’s various subcomponents.

Exclusive Workforce

VA forces staff in workforce reduction discussions to sign non-disclosure agreements

Senior leaders are contemplating which jobs to keep and which to slash in meetings, but telling staff they cannot discuss those topics.

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.