Cybersecurity
OPM watchdog to investigate IT risks tied to DOGE’s agency access
The agency’s deputy inspector general began “an engagement to assess risks associated with new and modified information systems at OPM,” a letter to lawmakers says.
People
NSF begins reinstating probationary employees
Following the federal court ruling, the Office of Personnel Management told agencies to begin the reinstatement of unlawfully terminated probationary employees.
People
OPM procurement processing fully halted following agency layoffs, internal email says
Sweeping terminations in OPM’s Office of Procurement Operations have fully halted agency contracting business and are likely to increase OPM’s operational risks, an internal email reads.
People
Top Oversight Dem demands OPM rescind CIO reclassification
Rep. Gerry Connolly, the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, also sought a briefing from the agency regarding its plans to reclassify IT personnel.
People
‘What did you do last week?’ Feds get mixed signals on whether to respond
Responses to the new governmentwide email system are meant to be voluntary, as OPM has advised agencies, but billionaire Elon Musk has said feds risk their employment if they choose not to respond — and some agencies are still telling feds to do so.
Digital Government
168 employees fired at National Science Foundation
“Panch has been conveniently absent throughout this whole time,” said an internal email an NSF worker sent to fellow colleagues, referring to Sethuraman Panchanathan, NSF’s director.
Modernization
Employees helming the U.S. nuclear stockpile among those terminated
Probational employees at Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration were fired on Thursday as concerns over DOGE access to sensitive information mounts.
People
OPM reveals new details about its CIO
Greg Hogan joined the agency a day into the Trump administration, replacing a career official that had been named to the position a week prior.
Digital Government
OPM skirted agency norms in assessing the privacy of its new email system
Anonymous federal employees filed a lawsuit alleging that the new email system could be placing their sensitive personal information at risk.
Cybersecurity
OPM asks to dismiss email server lawsuit, citing misinterpretation of law
The agency notably released a privacy impact assessment for the dubious email server used to mass-message federal employees about a deferred resignation offer on the same day as the legal dismissal request.
People
Musk’s DOGE efforts pose a ‘constitutional crisis,’ experts warn
Elon Musk has spent the first two weeks of the Trump administration parachuting into government offices, leaving extensive — and some say legally prohibited — changes in his wake.
People
Trump administration opens the door to politicize government tech executives
“This sounds like another method of censorship and control of the federal career workforce,” one former government tech executive said of a Tuesday memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management.
Digital Government
Unions sue Treasury over DOGE access to payment systems
Anonymous plaintiffs also called for a temporary restraining order Tuesday to prevent OPM from using a newly installed email system to mass-message federal employees.
Digital Government
OPM’s new email system sparks questions about cyber compliance
Until very recently, the Office of Personnel Management lacked the capability to send mass emails to all federal employees, a person familiar said, fueling concerns that the agency bypassed procurement rules.
People
Musk visits OPM following workforce assignments for DOGE
Amanda Scales, a former employee of Elon Musk’s AI company, was recently tapped to be the chief of staff at OPM.
People
OPM’s new CIO replaced on second day of Trump administration
Greg Hogan will serve as the new CIO for the personnel agency, following Melvin Brown II’s one-week stint in the role.
Ideas
Why CIOs should prioritize people and process
The next level of transformation for federal IT organizations can only happen when we prioritize these pillars.
People
OPM promotes deputy CIO to top tech role
He’ll succeed the recently retired Guy Cavallo in the role.
People
OPM CIO announces retirement
Guy Cavallo is the agency’s longest serving CIO in the past decade.
People