Transition

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.

Updated Workforce

USAID begins sending administrative leave notices ahead of expected shutdown

The agency also reportedly has ordered overseas missions to shut down by the end of the week.

Workforce

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.

Transition

‘Offensive bullshit’: Dem lawmakers call out Trump admin for ‘illegal’ action at USAID

Democratic lawmakers called out “unconstitutional” actions by billionaire Elon Musk and vowed to fight the Trump administration’s attempt to gut the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Defense

Hegseth stands up anti-DEI task force

Some of the task force’s targets, like quotas and discriminatory promotion policies, don’t exist.

Transition

DEI and diversity: Is there a difference?

COMMENTARY | One long-time civil servant urges those charged with implementing Trump’s DEI executive order to not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Transition

Chaos reigns across government as Trump freezes large swaths of federal spending

"It is blatantly unconstitutional," one senator says as agencies grapple with pausing nearly all grants and loan programs.

Transition

Here’s a look at the busy week ahead for Trump’s Cabinet nominees

Things could get even more dicey this week in the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate, as multiple Cabinet picks set to testify have raised eyebrows among senators on both sides of the aisle.

Transition

Trump wants a faster security clearance process, too

COMMENTARY | Priorities shift with every election cycle, but one remains constant: the demand for a more efficient government hiring process including security clearance eligibility and vetting.

Management

Trump signs order setting up DOGE with a focus on government tech

Trump is wielding — and renaming — the US Digital Service in service of the DOGE.

Management

Trump nominees offer praise to career feds, but promise efficiencies

The president-elect's picks to lead EPA, State and other agencies struck a different tone toward civil servants than some former Trump officials, suggesting the administration would lean on their expertise.

Transition

Biden lauds federal workforce’s dedication in farewell letter

The outgoing president thanked federal employees for their dedication and reflected on his administration's policy achievements and accomplishments.

Updated Oversight

Inspectors general have a new bipartisan caucus in the Senate

The president-elect has a record of removing inspectors general.

Management

DOGE agency deployments raise ethical and influence concerns

Trump’s government efficiency commission is reportedly sending staff around government, but its structure remains a mystery.

Workforce

Trump’s proposed cuts to the federal workforce could increase dependency on contractors, experts say

Conversely, Trump’s advisory Department of Government Efficiency plans to push for decreasing spending on federal contracts.

Management

Some Trump nominees face confirmation delays with ethics and background checks behind schedule

Lawmakers are demanding Senate Republicans not move forward without full vetting, a process delayed by Trump's transition foot-dragging.

Transition

Reported Trump ‘loyalty tests’ for national security officials spur criticism

If career employees are removed from the National Security Council, they would return to their home agencies, but the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has expressed concern.

Transition

OPM clears Trump’s beachhead teams for landing

Existing authorities allow the president-elect to make certain temporary appointments during the transition to a new administration.

Workforce

IRS chief predicts agency 'performance will backslide' if funds and staffing are cut

The agency says it is fully prepared for filing season in the near term but backlogs could return if the Trump administration pulls back resources.