Digital Government
SSA reorg plan contemplates field office closures, contradicting public statements
A March draft of the Social Security Administration's reorganization plan proposes "consolidating" field offices while shuttling customer service to AI and other automated platforms.
People
Judge further protects most fired probationary feds, though some may be newly vulnerable
A federal court has expanded the duration of the firing reversals but narrowed their geographical impact. A related case is sitting before the Supreme Court.
Breaking News
People
Trump order aims to outlaw most government unions on ‘national security’ grounds
An as-yet unpublished executive order purports to utilize a little-used provision allowing the president to restrict collective bargaining for national security reasons to exempt most federal jobs from union protections.
Defense
Intelligence officials remain defensive on Signal debate
House testimony followed release of full group-chat transcript — including attack times and weapons.
Digital Government
Judge: Musk and Trump’s effort to disband USAID is likely unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang found that the Trump administration and Elon Musk violated the constitutional separation of powers and the Appointments Clause when it ordered the shuttering of the foreign aid agency.
Artificial Intelligence
‘We shouldn’t be afraid of artificial intelligence,’ Vance advises US workers
The vice president touted the Trump administration’s efforts to spur innovation through slashing regulations and prioritizing both businesses and workers at a Tuesday event.
People
Trump continues to curtail union rights and career pipelines
Guidance issued by the Office of Personnel Management last week instructs agencies to ignore union contract provisions on reductions in force, and apply its policies.
Digital Government
Veteran suicide hotline employees permitted to work remotely after concerns that in-office requirement would hurt service
One Veterans Crisis Line supervisor said the return to office mandate was creating confusion among staff, presented logistical challenges and could hurt recruitment.
Emerging Tech
DOGE to work with USPS to find efficiencies, DeJoy says
The mailing agency will work with GSA and the group led by Elon Musk, who has called for Postal Service privatization.
Exclusive
Modernization
SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries
The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.
Digital Government
Government shutdown prospects increase after Schumer says Democrats won’t vote for GOP funding bill
Democrats have argued that the shutdown fight is an opportunity to push back on Elon Musk-backed agency spending and staff cuts.
Digital Government
House passes GOP funding bill to avoid government shutdown
The measure now heads to the Senate where it’s uncertain if Democrats will provide the votes needed to avoid a lapse in government funding.
Policy
Judge orders DOGE to comply with FOIA requests
Trump officials have argued that records from the government efficiency initiative fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can temporarily shield information from public scrutiny.
People
GSA continues slow drip of RIFs, nearly wiping out entire offices
More cuts are coming. Staff in the Technology Transformation Services were told Thursday that their team will be cut by 50%.
Digital Government
Trump administration moves to politicize top HR officials following firing at IRS
Guidance from the Office of Personnel Management justified the decision by citing chief human capital officers’ role in implementing Biden-era diversity policies.
People
Official who safeguards whistleblowers drops lawsuit protesting his firing by Trump
An appeals court had allowed the Trump administration to remove Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger while it heard his case.
People
Many federal employees ordered to submit recent accomplishments for second Musk email
Government workers have been instructed not to include classified or sensitive information in their responses.
People
NOAA terminates space, climate and marine life advisory committees
Experts caution the groups play a key role in ensuring agencies use the best available science in their decision making.
People
12 senior executives at the Federal Acquisition Service head for the exits
The agency had 34 senior executive service members in September 2024.
People