Management
Trump suggests eliminating FEMA while touring disaster site
It’s unclear what actions the president could take to reorganize the agency without congressional approval.
Nextgov
GSA announces new FAS, TTS leadership
The new leaders are interested in working with Elon Musk’s DOGE.
Contracts
Contractors face greater scrutiny from anti-DEI executive orders
President Trump’s actions come with enforcement provisions that encourage employees to report on their companies.
Management
VA wants hiring freeze exemptions for 300,000 roles
The acting Veterans Affairs secretary said in a Jan. 21 memo that the requested exemptions cover positions critical to the delivery of health care services.
Defense One
Hegseth said he settled sexual assault accusation for $50,000
The 2020 settlement by Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon was revealed in response to Sen. Warren’s confirmation questions.
Nextgov
Trump signs AI executive order
The order calls for the development of an AI action plan and sets up a process for revoking actions taken under President Biden’s previous AI executive order signed in October 2023.
Workforce
Ousted career execs at DOJ are considering options after being given vague rationale for firings
The dismissals came just hours after Trump's inauguration and raises questions of the president's legal authorities.
Nextgov
Senate confirms John Ratcliffe to lead CIA
Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence in the final months of Trump’s first term, drew controversy over perceived politicization of intelligence assessments.
Nextgov
HHS pause on external comms delaying upcoming health summits
Two planned events have been indefinitely postponed as a result of the Trump administration’s freeze on HHS-related mass communications and public appearances.
Management
Dems say thwarting Trump's controversial OMB pick is a top priority
The senators are still looking for a bipartisan coalition to vote down Russ Vought, a man they said "exudes hate for federal employees."
Companies
CACI's CEO weighs in on efficiency and acquisition
In talking with Wall Street, John Mengucci looked to provide a bigger picture for what he would like to see the DOGE efficiency group look at beyond just protest numbers going down.
Workforce
FAA employees with disabilities targeted by Trump's anti-DEI push
Despite current policy, the FAA during Trump’s first administration actively sought to recruit workers with disabilities.
Workforce
OPM demands agencies comply with Trump’s telework order within 30 days
The State Department has already begun to implement the president’s memo cancelling telework agreements as of March 1 and remote work arrangements July 1, with exceptions for military spouses and employees with disabilities.
Nextgov
Democrats worry over Trump funding priorities for CISA’s disinfo efforts
President Donald Trump’s nominee to run DHS wants the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to be smaller and stay out of monitoring disinfo.
Defense One
Report: Crypto donations to right-wing extremist groups rising, especially in Europe
The good news: Use of digital currencies makes monitoring those groups easier.
Companies
Industry launches $100B AI-infrastructure effort to keep ahead of China
Oracle, OpenAI focus on data centers as AI race begins to turn on computing power instead of math.
Defense One
Pentagon sending 1,500 troops to southern border, USAF planes on deportation flights
Defense officials did not rule out arming troops on the border, but left that up to the discretion of NORTHCOM.
Exclusive
Nextgov
U.S. Digital Service employees are being re-interviewed under DOGE transition
Some employees who were in the U.S. Digital Service already when it became part of the DOGE fear the interviews are an assessment of their loyalty.
Workforce
Broad exemptions to Trump's federal hiring freeze begin to take shape
The Defense Department is indicating it will allow hiring to continue for all civilian positions.
Nextgov