News
Judge bars DOGE access to sensitive personal information at 3 federal agencies
OPM and the Education and Treasury departments are subject to a temporary injunction barring them from disclosing certain information to DOGE while a privacy lawsuit is ongoing.
Management
DOGE's attempt to be a force for genuine reform will depend on its decision-making
COMMENTARY | The Elon Musk-backed efficiency initiative should rely on sound decision-making as well as selecting sustainable preferences, argue two scholars.
Workforce
Trump memo grants governmentwide firing power to OPM
Experts speculated that the measure is intended to address recent judgments against the administration’s workforce actions or to grant DOGE-aligned officials the ability to fire resisters.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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