People

Loss of NSA leaders will cause disruptions, agency’s former chief says

Gen. Paul Nakasone praised former NSA Director Timothy Haugh and former NSA Civilian Deputy Director Wendy Noble, who were fired from their positions last week.

People

Interior fires senior leaders after fight over DOGE access to key payroll system

Several officials in the department’s CIO shop who were not fired are taking the latest deferred resignation offer, meaning that the office is nearly cleared out, with only two of nine leadership roles permanently filled.

Cybersecurity

Senator puts hold on Trump cyber nominee, citing ‘cover up’ of telecom security report

An unreleased 2022 report is said to contain vital information about the security posture of the U.S. telecommunications sector, according to Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who is blocking Sean Plankey’s nomination to lead CISA.

People

Census CIO to depart at the end of April

Luis Cano, who has been with the U.S. Census Bureau since 2017, announced that he would retire from federal service on April 30.

Cybersecurity

Top NSA, Cyber Command officials pulled from premier cybersecurity conference

Notifications about their speaking engagements went out Tuesday afternoon, just days after President Trump fired the head of NSA and Cyber Command.

People

NSA firings stoke fears of Trump installing a partisan loyalist to lead spy agency

“We saw it’s possible, without adequate oversight, for our spy agencies to do inappropriate things,” a former senior intelligence official said, referencing the 1970s congressional investigations that revealed many spying abuses against Americans.

People

Trump fires head of NSA and Cyber Command

Gen. Timothy Haugh’s removal was spurred by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who, earlier Thursday, reportedly urged the president to terminate multiple National Security Council staffers.

People

CX lead at DHS announces departure from government

Dana Chisnell, the first DHS executive director for customer experience, said March 28 was her last day with the department and “my last official day working for the federal government.”

People

Karen Evans tapped for DHS undersecretary weeks after assuming CISA role

Evans had been selected as both a senior advisor and then executive assistant director for cybersecurity at CISA prior to her DHS nomination.

Artificial Intelligence

Partnership for Public Service launches AI Center for Government

The good-government nonprofit said the center will focus on developing AI leaders, building talent and allowing agencies at all levels of government to share information and best practices.

People

Senate confirms Michael Kratsios to lead White House tech office

As the 13th director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, Kratsios is set to focus on emerging tech like AI, quantum sciences and biotechnologies.

People

SSA tech shop to be led by another DOGE associate

Scott Coulter will replace the agency’s previous CIO, who has been moved to a senior advisor position at SSA.

People

GSA names new deputy administrator

The agency’s second in command had been serving as an advisor to the acting administrator.

People

NSF CIO Terry Carpenter retires

The National Science Foundation selected veteran and deputy CIO Clyde E. Richards to serve as acting CIO.

People

Air Force CIO announces retirement

Venice Goodwine is stepping down after more than 30 years of federal service.

People

TTS director tapped to serve as Labor CIO

Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer, will continue to lead the Technology Transformation Services, a General Services Administration spokesperson confirmed.

People

Trump’s US chief technology officer pick would serve dual-role

Ethan Klein served as a tech policy advisor in the first Trump administration.

People

Trump taps Sean Plankey to head CISA

Plankey served at the Energy Department and National Security Council during Trump’s first term. 

Exclusive People

Energy CIO departs after short tenure

Ryan Riedel, formerly of SpaceX, served in the role for less than two months.

People

Trump nominates Paul Dabbar as Commerce deputy secretary

Dabbar previously worked in the Department of Energy during the first Trump administration, and will now focus on global trade and technology for Commerce.