Oversight
Despite critical report, Biden hasn’t taken disciplinary action against DHS watchdog
It’s been about two months since an oversight committee substantiated allegations that DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari abused his authority, with no word of potential White House action.
Oversight
Senators call for watchdog to investigate TSA’s use of facial recognition
In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General, 12 senators warned that the deployment of facial biometrics at every U.S. airport could create “one of the largest federal surveillance databases overnight without authorization from Congress.”
Exclusive
Tech
DHS issues internal comms guidance amid telecom breach investigation
The DHS Cyber Safety Review Board is already slated to investigate the hacking collective, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and its intrusion into telecommunications firms and wiretap infrastructure.
Tech
DHS highlights hiring and project milestones on anniversary of Biden’s AI order
The agency said it has hired 31 technologists for its AI Corps and completed three pilot projects that have provided “valuable insights into the real-life impact of GenAI tools as well as their limitations.”
Management
Secret Service needs to fix 'corrosive cultural attitudes' with its workforce to prevent a successful assassination, panel finds
The failures that led to a nearly successful assassination attempt on Trump run deeper than staffing shortfalls, the investigators found.
Workforce
Federal personnel are facing threats during hurricane response, DHS chief warns
As misinformation swirls, posters online have vowed to send militias and 'shoot' federal workers responding to recent disasters.
Updated
Management
Officials describe rosy future for problem-plagued background check system overhaul
One interagency official said a long-awaited implementation strategy for the National Background Investigation Services system would be released this week.
Oversight
DHS IG committed ‘substantial misconduct,’ governmental watchdog finds
Whether Joseph Cuffari is removed or not is up to President Biden.
Oversight
Senate report details widespread Secret Service failures in Trump assassination attempt
Lack of communication and leadership led to USSS errors, though the agency maintains no individual employees were to blame.
Updated
Workforce
Air Marshals say they are reaching a ‘breaking point’ amid brain drain and ‘punishing’ schedules
The federal law enforcement personnel say they need a fresh start in a new agency.
Management
Secret Service acknowledges ‘failures’ in protection of Trump in Pennsylvania shooting
The acting director said an investigation revealed communication “deficiencies” between law enforcement personnel.
Oversight
Task force probing Trump assassination attempt to expand to include Florida incident
“We have a responsibility here in Congress to get down to the bottom of this, to figure out why these things are happening and what we can do about it,” the House speaker said in a statement.
Management
Trump’s second assassination attempt is shocking, but attempts on presidents’ lives are not rare in US history
There have been 45 men elected president since the country’s founding. And 40% of them have experienced known attempts on their lives.
Tech
CISA issues guide to help federal agencies set cybersecurity priorities
The guidance comes as federal civilian agencies are closing in on zero trust deadlines looming at the end of the current fiscal year.
News
Gunshots fired near Trump in Florida; campaign says former president is safe
Secret Service officials said “a protective incident” involving Trump occurred near Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, two months after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.
Management
TSA proposes a softer rollout of Real ID enforcement
Federal agencies would have the option to gradually require the secure documents after May 7, in part to avoid chaos at state DMVs when the deadline approaches.
Management
Additional security will be in place for the Jan. 6, 2025 certification of the presidential vote
Almost four years after the assault on the Capitol, Homeland Security Department officials will designate the congressional certification of the 2024 election a National Special Security Event.
Oversight
GAO wants new Secret Service training plan after Trump assassination attempt
The watchdog recommended the agency implement new training goals for agents in the Presidential Protective Division after a gunman attempted to assassinate Donald Trump in July.
Management
Federal judge pauses a program that grants protections for undocumented spouses
A Homeland Security Department spokesperson said the agency will defend the program, known as Keeping Families Together, in court. DHS is still allowed to collect applications, but not allowed to approve them.
Oversight