Defense One
Gutting of USAID is making it harder to monitor aid sent abroad, watchdog says
Agency’s IG says locking staff out increases the risk of funds going to “U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.”
Transition
Senate Democrats call for DOGE to halt until details are provided
The letter to the White House chief of staff and counsel notes that some of billionaire Elon Musk’s actions via DOGE “may be illegal or unconstitutional.”
Updated
Workforce
Judge extends pause on ‘deferred resignation’ deadline
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole reportedly said he was considering converting the existing temporary restraining order blocking the administration from advancing its deferred resignation program into a preliminary injunction, but he did not indicate how he would rule in the case.
Updated
Management
Ethics and whistleblower officials fired by Trump
Hampton Dellinger, the ousted head of the Office of Special Counsel, filed a lawsuit that argued his removal was unlawful, and a federal judge reinstated him at least through Thursday.
Workforce
Making sense of the chaotic state of the civil service
COMMENTARY | Answers to eight questions you may be struggling with after the “deferred resignation” offer.
Companies
DEI programs vanish across the GovCon landscape
Contractors are dropping diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as they review the risks of being seen as not compliant with the Trump executive order.
Workforce
Trump exempted public safety roles from his hiring freeze. Federal firefighters, prison guards and food inspectors wonder why they don’t count.
Current and former employees say public safety agencies are still freezing hiring they claim to have exempted and liken the approach to a 'self-imposed gunshot wound to the head.'
Route Fifty
Amid DOGE push, states wrestle with defining ‘government efficiency’
Several states have instituted new committees in their legislatures in a bid to rein in spending. But others suggest the path to efficiency is less about grabbing headlines and more about finding new ways of working.
Podcasts
WT 360: NextgovFCW’s Natalie Alms on GSA and Musk’s moves there
Natalie Alms, who covers federal technology policy and tech workforce matters at our partner publication NextgovFCW, jumps in to update us on General Services Administration happenings that involve Elon Musk.
Updated
Workforce
Federal judge blocks USAID leave notices and reinstates workers
Attorneys representing the Trump administration confirmed Friday that upwards of 2,200 employees, many of whom are stationed overseas, would have been put on administrative leave Friday night, absent the court’s intervention.
Exclusive
Management
Federal prisons to house ICE detainees as Trump furthers immigration crackdown
The move raises a series of questions as staff remain unclear on how their responsibilities could change.
Nextgov
Senate Democrats call for DOGE to halt until details are provided
The letter to the White House chief of staff and counsel notes that some of billionaire Elon Musk’s actions via DOGE “may be illegal or unconstitutional.”
Workforce
Trump administration environmental justice removals cut across agencies
Agencies leaders placed nearly 200 on administrative leave as they wound down programs at the Justice and Energy departments and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Transition
What to do on the day after?
COMMENTARY | Once Elon Musk and crew burn it all down, here’s how we might rebuild from the ashes.
Opinion
COMMENTARY: How DOGE will use AI to take aim at government contracting
The Department of Government Efficiency could revolutionize federal procurement, but contractors face uncertain future, writes GovSignals CEO Derek Hoyt.
Contracts
Musk’s DOGE efforts pose a ‘constitutional crisis,’ experts warn
Elon Musk has spent the first two weeks of the Trump administration parachuting into government offices, leaving extensive — and some say legally prohibited — changes in his wake.
Management
Musk's role as ‘special government employee’ raises ethics questions
The SpaceX founder and CEO's moves across federal agencies break with tradition and could result in legal action.
Nextgov
Senate Dems call on VA secretary to protect veteran data from DOGE
Lawmakers asked VA Secretary Doug Collins “to deny and sever” DOGE’s access to department systems that include information about veterans.
Management
Trump DOJ’s focus on immigration will hurt crime-fighting efforts, Democrats argue
Senior officials in the Trump administration have recently redirected DOJ personnel and resources toward immigration enforcement.
Companies