Tech
USPS plans to use AI to enhance customer service
USPS Vice President for Customer Experience Marc McCrery said the agency is looking to switch its call center platform to a cloud-based application this summer, which he said will be “the start of our AI journey.”
Management
Regional boards for federal agency coordination officially disbanded
A recent Trump executive order mandated the end of federal executive boards, which have been around since 1961.
Management
Trump order put states at the forefront of cyber and natural disaster response
The executive order signed this week is part of a wider push to put the onus on states and localities to prepare for disasters, rather than the federal government.
Management
GSA to ‘quadruple' in size to centralize procurement across the government
The head of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service told employees at a Thursday meeting that the agency will “do about $400 billion” in procurement management under this effort.
Sponsor Content
5 Must-Know Government Technology Trends in 2025
Salesforce industry experts share their perspectives on the direction of the public sector industry over the next twelve months.
Management
Trump signs order directing the Education secretary to shut down the department
The order is sure to draw legal challenges.
Workforce
SSA cancels telework with just a weekend’s notice
Union officials said the sudden and indefinite suspension of most bargaining unit employees’ telework agreements amounts to a de facto termination, despite acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek’s promise to honor labor contracts.
Updated
Management
VA blocks its benefits employees from speaking freely to the department’s lawyers
Attorneys at VA, who play a key role in helping veterans receive benefits, are the latest in the Trump administration to face potential sidelining.
Sponsor Content
2025 Tech Forecast
IT skills become outdated in about 2.5 years, with AI and automation accelerating obsolescence, as highlighted in Pluralsight's 2024 report.
Oversight
Democratic oversight leader warns against staff cuts to agency FOIA offices
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., is requesting details from agencies after high-profile removals by the Trump administration of officials who handle Freedom of Information Act requests.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
Pay & Benefits
Women, money and retirement
For Women’s History Month, lets talk about some of the statistics around women, savings and assets.
Defense
The Pentagon is asking 364 fired probationary employees to come back
So far, about 65 have been reinstated, according to a Wednesday court filing.
Management
SSA head’s 3-month plan touts workforce reductions while calling for identity and AI investment
The acting commissioner at SSA said that he has “made some mistakes” and promised to learn from them in an email to staff Tuesday.
TSP TICKER
FUND
G
F
C
S
I
MAR 21 CLOSE
$18.9421
$19.9818
$89.8175
$84.1207
$44.8948
DAILY CHANGE
0.0022
-0.0227
0.0763
-0.1787
-0.1769
THIS MONTH (%)
0.25
-0.14
-4.72
-5.65
2.42
FUND
L 2060
L 2050
L 2040
L 2030
L INCOME
MAR 21 CLOSE
$17.5459
$34.9447
$57.9380
$50.6455
$26.9543
DAILY CHANGE
-0.0212
-0.0370
-0.0534
-0.0380
-0.0081
THIS MONTH (%)
-2.36
-1.93
-1.67
-1.36
-0.47
FUND
MAR 21
CLOSE
CLOSE
DAILY
CHANGE
CHANGE
THIS
MONTH
MONTH
G
$18.9421
0.0022
0.25
F
$19.9818
-0.0227
-0.14
C
$89.8175
0.0763
-4.72
S
$84.1207
-0.1787
-5.65
I
$44.8948
-0.1769
2.42
L 2050
$34.9447
-0.0370
-1.93
L 2040
$57.9380
-0.0534
-1.67
L 2030
$50.6455
-0.0380
-1.36
L 2020
$None
None
L INCOME
$26.9543
-0.0081
-0.47
Workforce
Housing agencies begin closing offices, escorting employees out
HUD and FHFA are shutting down some functions, with more cuts expected soon and power consolidation already underway.
Defense
Trump ban on transgender troops blocked in court
A federal judge criticized the Trump administration for lack of data proving claims made in a Jan. 27 executive order.
Oversight
Democrats push the Justice Department to keep the Election Threats Task Force amid rollbacks
The task force was created to help protect election officials from stalking and threats, but its future remains in question after the Trump administration scrapped other election integrity initiatives.
Oversight
Senate Democrats want details on DOGE and DHS attempts to access IRS data
The IRS reportedly rejected the broad requests for taxpayer information, but the lawmakers worry recent actions have “left the door open for future requests.”
Pay & Benefits
Stopgap bill includes permanent pay raises for firefighters
Federal wildland firefighters secured new special salary pay tables at all levels through the six-month continuing resolution package after Congress spent 2024 averting numerous pay cliffs.
Management
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.
Defense
Pentagon hiring freeze holds previously approved job moves hostage
Civilians have sent their belongings overseas but are trapped at their duty stations.
Defense
Pentagon’s efforts to slash civilian workforce continue to cause confusion
Most civilian promotions and internal transfers are on hold pending new guidance.
Management
Trump appeals rulings that blocked his firings of Democrats on independent federal boards
The Trump administration argued that current law limiting the reasons for the president to remove members of independent government boards is unconstitutional.
Updated
Workforce
Agencies are placing reinstated employees in leave status. Judge says that violates his order.
To date, only the Transportation Department is promising its reinstated probationary employees will soon be back on the job.
Workforce
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.
Management
Experts fear global media agency’s gutting will strip key tools against foreign propaganda
U.S. Agency for Global Media programs serve a critical function in the face of U.S. adversaries’ efforts to wage information warfare against American allies and regions of critical interest, an influence operations analyst said.
