Updated Workforce

Trump plans to surge air traffic controller hiring following plane accidents

The Biden administration also prioritized Federal Aviation Administration hiring, achieving some success.

Oversight

Multiple groups file lawsuits to get DOGE records

Plaintiffs argue the Musk-led initiative is an agency whose records can be requested for release, while the Trump administration says they’re protected presidential records.

Transition

Trump DOGE order directs agencies to build tech to track government spending

The executive order directs agencies to build centralized tech systems to “record every payment” issued under grants and contracts.

Updated Transition

Advisory government transparency committee terminated

The closure is the result of a Trump order targeting advisory panels throughout the federal government.

Defense

Defense Department police officers can’t get proper credentials nearly 2 years after Congress required them

An officer said they’ve run into issues questioning witnesses, registering for trainings and purchasing necessary equipment because they can’t easily prove they’re a federal law enforcement officer.

Workforce

Following confusion, OPM says Musk demand that feds report accomplishments is voluntary

Agencies have provided their employees with varying information about whether to respond to the request for federal employees to provide five accomplishments from the previous week.

Oversight

Musk might have violated federal employee ethics law, lawyers say

Enforcement of the Hatch Act, which restricts the political activity of government workers, has historically been weak against high-ranking officials.

Workforce

Judge denies federal unions’ request to block mass probationary firings

The federal judge said in a preliminary ruling that the National Treasury Employees Union likely must first bring their challenge to the Federal Labor Relations Authority.

Oversight

Independent agencies targeted by Trump’s latest executive order

A regulatory expert said the directive will likely be challenged in court, as Congress has largely shielded some of the affected agencies from involvement by the White House.

Oversight

Judge temporarily blocks Trump from firing Democratic member of federal employee appeals board

Trump has tried to remove Democratic officials in positions that safeguard civil service protections.

Updated Management

Senate confirms RFK Jr. to lead HHS

Kennedy’s confirmation comes during a legal battle over whether the National Institutes of Health can cap the percentage of funding it provides for indirect research costs.

Updated Oversight

Inspectors general file lawsuit to fight firings

The litigation comes as a Democratic member of the Merit Systems Protection Board who Trump removed is also asking the courts to stop her ousting.

Workforce

Federal employee union celebrates early wins against Trump but preparing for the long haul

Since Trump’s election, the American Federation of Government Employees has achieved record-breaking membership.

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.

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.

Transition

Congressional Democrats tell skeptical protestors they’ll stop Trump’s elimination of USAID

Members of Congress who spoke at Wednesday’s rally said an upcoming government funding deadline could be an opportunity to stifle Trump’s plans to weaken federal agencies.

Workforce

FBI agents sue over DOJ-demanded lists of personnel involved in Jan. 6 investigations

The lawsuit follows a Jan. 31 memo from the acting deputy attorney general ordering the firing of several FBI leaders and calling for the identification of other agents.

Exclusive Transition

‘Robbery in progress': Small group protests at OPM over Musk allies’ access to federal employee personal data

Several associates of Elon Musk have been put in leadership positions at the Office of Personnel Management as well as the General Services Administration.