Author Archive

Natalie Alms

Natalie Alms

Senior Correspondent , Nextgov/FCW

Natalie Alms is a senior correspondent at Nextgov/FCW covering federal technology policy, service delivery, customer experience and the government's tech workforce. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Natalie can be securely contacted at nalms.41 on Signal.
Natalie Alms is a senior correspondent at Nextgov/FCW covering federal technology policy, service delivery, customer experience and the government's tech workforce. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie. If you have a tip you'd like to share, Natalie can be securely contacted at nalms.41 on Signal.
Workforce

How Trump’s OPM director wants to attract tech talent after months of workforce cuts

OPM Director Scott Kupor wants to bring on new feds with cutting edge skills, but the government’s recent flood of layoffs and resignations could complicate that effort. With a government shutdown ongoing, too, the administration is threatening more layoffs.

Tech

Class action lawsuit alleges data consolidation within USCIS is illegal

Plaintiffs represented by a coalition of advocacy groups have argued that drawing searchable data from other government agencies into a system maintained by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services “far exceed” that system’s scope.

Oversight

Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'

It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.

Management

Senate report accuses DOGE of risking Americans’ data by operating outside federal law

A report released by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said a lack of restrictions on DOGE employees’ collection of sensitive data can result “in serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities, privacy violations, and risk of corruption.”

Management

IRS announces the phased end of paper check refunds

The Trump White House set a Sept. 30 deadline for the Treasury Department to stop cutting paper checks, although the IRS said it will still be issuing a “limited number” of checks where there is no alternative option. 

Exclusive Workforce

The Interior Department is taking steps to implement layoffs

After a series of delays, DOI is preparing RIF lists as it looks to implement significant personnel cuts in the coming weeks.

Tech

OPM adds OpenAI to its employees’ computers

The government’s personnel agency is taking advantage of the General Services Administration’s OneGov deal with OpenAI.

Management

State Department hopes to use agentic AI to assist employee tasks, CIO says

That kind of autonomous action would go beyond the current capabilities of the agency’s AI chatbot, StateChat.

Management

DOGE caucus co-chair says the cost-cutting unit’s work will continue

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said he is focused on using data to weed out fraud across the government.

Tech

Agriculture taps DOGE associate as its tech lead, reassigning previous CIO

Sam Berry, who’s been at USDA for months as part of the Department of Government Efficiency, is the agency's new chief information officer.

Management

Social Security announces leadership team light on government experience

The agency’s new leadership roster — announced alongside a reorganization plan sources say is short on details — is intended to bring a fresh perspective into SSA, its commissioner said. Critics argue they lack the expertise usually required of most agency leaders.

Management

OPM tech lead Greg Hogan leaves post

The personnel agency’s handling of sensitive agency data — and who can access it — has been at the center of many lawsuits since the start of Trump 2.0.

Management

GSA deputy Stephen Ehikian to depart post

Ehikian — who, until recently, served as GSA’s acting administrator — is the latest day one Trump appointee to leave the government.

Exclusive Management

Meet the Trump appointee apparently maintaining 'unheard of' ties to Tesla

Thomas Shedd, who heads the Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration, reported on his public financial disclosures that he is “on a leave of absence” from Tesla in a rare arrangement, according to experts.

Management

Airbnb co-founder and DOGE associate to head new federal design office

Joe Gebbia has been working on modernizing retirement processes at the Office of Personnel Management as part of his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.

Tech

Trump signs order calling for improved government design

The new “America by Design” effort includes a recruiting push for relevant talent — though the administration has shed many government designers since Trump took office.

Breaking News Workforce

IRS is canceling its layoff plans, will ask some it fired or pushed out to return

After pushing 26,000 employees out, the tax agency is scrambling to find enough personnel to carry out its duties.

Tech

Login.gov to add passports as identity proofing option

Trump appointees have called the in-house service a priority for anti-fraud efforts.

Exclusive Management

Trump administration hopes AI can mitigate staffing losses, federal CIO says

Gregory Barbaccia, who was named the federal chief information officer just a week into the new administration, said one of his priorities is learning how to do more with less.

Management

FAR Council releases changes to 6 sections of acquisition regulation

The White House celebrated the changes as a milestone in its effort to overhaul and simplify the rules surrounding federal buying.