Transition
Biden lauds federal workforce’s dedication in farewell letter
The outgoing president thanked federal employees for their dedication and reflected on his administration's policy achievements and accomplishments.
Companies
Accenture Federal’s new CEO eyes AI-driven transformation during Trump 2.0
Ron Ash sees agencies as having opportunities ahead to modernize legacy systems and improve efficiency by harnessing the power of new tools like agentic artificial intelligence.
Nextgov
Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.
Defense One
Trump taps NRO official as Air Force secretary
The move emphasizes the next administration's pro-space agenda.
Contracts
Biden signs executive order inspired by lessons from recent cyberattacks
The order gives CISA more eyes to hunt cyber threats on government networks and directs agencies and contractors to be more transparent about the security of their software stockpiles.
Companies
US ‘has to win’ the AI innovation race, OpenAI exec says
Senior Vice President of Global Affairs Chris Lehane commended a recent executive order opening federal land to AI data center development and posited ways to encourage states to back AI development.
Nextgov
Trump pick for CIA chief pledges to remain apolitical amid past controversies
John Ratcliffe was questioned over whether he’d remain an impartial national security official after past incidents as Trump’s former director of national intelligence.
Companies
Industry execs push for mission-focused cyber strategies, not just compliance
Cybersecurity investments should focus on operational efficiency and threat prevention, as a group of participants put it during an industry roundtable.
Defense One
‘I know what I don’t know,’ SecDef pick says at confirmation hearing
Hegseth faced questions about his inexperience and fitness as a leader.
Transition
Reported Trump ‘loyalty tests’ for national security officials spur criticism
If career employees are removed from the National Security Council, they would return to their home agencies, but the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has expressed concern.
Transition
OPM clears Trump’s beachhead teams for landing
Existing authorities allow the president-elect to make certain temporary appointments during the transition to a new administration.
Podcasts
WT 360: Our first look at GovCon’s agenda for 2025
Stephanie Smith, RSM’s GovCon senior industry analyst, gets this New Year going with an initial overview of key themes and talking points that should dominate the discussion for the next 12 months.
Opinion
2024’s unfinished business that carries over to 2025
These stories started in 2024, but are not even close to the finish line.
Transition
Musk and Ramaswamy to confront Congress in struggle for control of the public purse
The duo will need to garner support from hundreds of members of Congress for any of their suggested spending cuts as co-chairs of the nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, to become law. That is an uphill slog many have failed at before.
Opinion
COMMENTARY: Trump’s promise and the chaos ahead
The continuing resolution battle is a preview of an administration that wants to bring reforms into government, as long as it can avoid derailing its own agenda.
Management
Trump wants 10 regulations eliminated for each new one issued. Will it actually work?
Experts argue that a similar policy during Trump’s first term didn’t lead to substantial deregulation but did slow rulemaking.
Transition
What does the U.S. attorney general actually do?
The position is one of the most important in the federal executive branch.
Nextgov
ServiceNow CEO says DOGE has Washington ‘inspired and fired up’
Bill McDermott believes there is genuine momentum building behind President-elect Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.
Management
Will civil service protections hold up against RFK Jr.’s threats to the federal public health workforce?
Kennedy, Trump’s pick to lead HHS, has talked openly about removing swaths of civil servants at FDA and NIH.
Management