Workforce
White House collects lists of federal DEI office employees as punishments begin
Agencies are starting to take action against DEI-tasked employees and pass lists of those workers on to OPM and the White House.
Transition
Musk visits OPM following workforce assignments for DOGE
Amanda Scales, a former employee of Elon Musk’s AI company, was recently tapped to be the chief of staff at OPM.
Defense One
Air Force promises it’s ‘faithfully’ executing Trump’s orders
Gen. Allvin aimed to “dispel a rumor” regarding the removal of training materials related to Tuskegee Airmen and WASPs.
Workforce
New Schedule F guidance shows the Trump White House is rearing for a fight
Trump administration officials elected to bypass the regulatory process to rescind Biden-era rules aimed at barring Schedule F’s revival, setting up a bigger fight over the president's authority.
Nextgov
Musk visits OPM following workforce assignments for DOGE
Amanda Scales, a former employee of Elon Musk’s AI company, was recently tapped to be the chief of staff at OPM.
Transition
Here’s a look at the busy week ahead for Trump’s Cabinet nominees
Things could get even more dicey this week in the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, as multiple Cabinet picks set to testify have raised eyebrows among senators on both sides of the aisle.
Contracts
First wave of DEI-related contract cancellations hit the market
An even larger number of contracts are seeing modifications that drop requirements related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Workforce
Agencies to soon detail how they will overcome unions, office space issues to bring all staff in-person
The White House and OPM are asking for specifics in how agencies will comply with Trump's return-to-office order.
Nextgov
Gregory Barbaccia named federal CIO
The Palantir alum has also served in the Army and as an intelligence analyst.
Nextgov
Senate confirms Kristi Noem to head Trump’s DHS
Noem is likely to direct a reevaluation of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s spending priorities, amid GOP accusations that the agency censored conservative views online.
Oversight
Trump fires multiple agency inspectors general
Sen. Grassley and a top watchdog said Trump did not adhere to congressional notification requirements about such removals.
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