Exclusive Management

O'Malley: SSA’s 2024 progress refutes government doubters

Under the commissioner’s tenure, Social Security has seen marked improvements in its customer service metrics despite continually mounting workloads and dwindling funding.

Oversight

GAO saved the federal government $67.5 billion in fiscal 2024

The watchdog’s open recommendations could be a foundation for the new Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.

Updated Management

Extraordinary senior executives receive presidential rank award

The selective honor comes with a cash award that is up to 35% of the recipient’s annual basic pay.

Tech

Trump’s first White House debated the role of the U.S. Digital Service. What will Trump 2.0 do?

The Office of Management and Budget led an effort to assess USDS — even whether it should exist — during the twilight days of the Trump administration. With another Trump White House incoming, the question of what’s next for the government’s digital SWAT team looms.

Breaking News Management

Trump teams to deploy throughout government after reaching agreement with the Biden administration

The president-elect had previously refused to sign the agreement and is still sidestepping many of the steps typically required for presidential transitions.

Tech

‘The $42B question’: What’s next for federal broadband funding?

The Trump administration could fiddle with the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program or even claw back funds. But the ball will be in states’ courts given how quickly they have moved, and the momentum behind getting people connected.

Tech

Lawmaker wants the FCC to create an AI tool for identifying scams

The measure from Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah., would direct the FCC to develop an online platform that can assess submitted communications and then rate the likelihood that they are scam attempts.

Management

‘Whenever they’re interested:’ Agencies say they are ready and waiting to bring Trump’s team up to speed

Federal agencies are hoping to assist with a "smooth and orderly" transition, but so far remain rebuffed by the president-elect.

Defense

Musk's government roles create 'clear avenues for serious conflicts of interest'

The SpaceX CEO, who leads a company with more than $10 billion in government contracts, is also the face of a new body aimed at getting rid of government waste.

Management

How George Washington used his first Thanksgiving as president to unite a new country

On Nov. 26, 1789, Washington called on the people to hold their new country together in the face of forces that he knew could pull it apart.

Management

Trump’s Education nominee would bring past government experience to the role

While she’s known for being the president and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon is not a newcomer to the federal government.

Management

DeJoy's changes will give USPS its best holiday season performance ever, officials say

The Postal Service paused some of its key changes over fears of negative fallout, but plans to resume them soon.

Management

Congressional Democrats want more guardrails for presidential nominees

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Andy  Kim, D-N.J., have a pair of companion bills calling for certain administration nominees to report any work or compensation received from a foreign government. 

Management

Trump picks Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a pro-union Republican, to lead the Labor Department

Chavez-DeRemer, who recently represented Oregon in Congress, has often been one of the lone Republican supporters of various pro-union bills and has advocated for improvements to the child care system.

Management

Agencies credit telework with recruiting, retention gains, GAO finds

A watchdog report examining telework use at four agencies found best practices still need implementation, but the presence, or absence, of telework as an option has affected their ability to attract talent.

Oversight

Marjorie Taylor Greene to head new government efficiency subcommittee

The panel will work closely with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency.

Management

Who is Pam Bondi? Trump picks longtime ally for attorney general

The former AG for Florida has publicly defended the former president during his criminal cases.

Oversight

Senators call for watchdog to investigate TSA’s use of facial recognition

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General, 12 senators warned that the deployment of facial biometrics at every U.S. airport could create “one of the largest federal surveillance databases overnight without authorization from Congress.”

Workforce

Schedule F 2.0...can it be that bad?

COMMENTARY | "Is it the 'end of democracy as we know it' bad?" asks one former federal official.