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.

Updated Workforce

Agencies ramp up pressure on their workers to quit

New guidance continues to defend the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" program as legal, though it fails to address its apparent violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act.

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.

Workforce

Trump signs memo that claims to cancel late Biden-era union contracts

Although the president railed against collective bargaining agreements signed at the Social Security Administration and the Education Department shortly before his inauguration, it’s unlikely any of those deals will be upended by the measure.

Workforce

OPM will grant VERA authority to all agencies, as confusion around ‘deferred resignation’ program continues

With just one week before the deadline, many federal workers are still unclear whether they can trust the Trump administration’s offer, or if they are even eligible for it.

Transition

Senior Democrat wants to know who in the Trump White House got Top Secret clearance without a complete background check

Trump issued a memo providing temporary security clearances for certain personnel, arguing delays in their vetting were "unacceptable."

Workforce

Employee groups, Democrats, experts warn feds not to accept ‘deferred resignation’ offer

The lack of a legal underpinning for the purported eight-month severance package, and Elon Musk’s history of offering—and then revoking—severance payments have many federal workers wary of the measure.

Updated Workforce

Trump reportedly will offer 'buyouts' to all 2 million federal workers

The White House’s plan to offer “deferred resignations” that pay departing federal employees their salary through Sept. 30 will likely run afoul of rules governing buyout payments.

Transition

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.

Defense

Tracking Trump’s national-security conflicts of interest

Experts say the businessman-turned-president has even more entanglements this time around.

Transition

What to know about executive orders as Trump prepares to take office

What are executive orders — and how do presidents use them? Here’s what to know about them and the scope of their power.

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.

Tech

US has ‘a lot of work to do’ on cyber defenses, departing cyber czar says

Outgoing National Cyber Director Harry Coker thinks his office needs more influence over the federal cyber budget but not necessarily more authority on offensive cyber operations.

Management

Trump says his transition with the Biden administration is ‘not smooth’

Other reports, including from Trump's own chief of staff, indicate the process is going according to plan.

News

What to know about President Jimmy Carter lying in state at the U.S. Capitol

Carter, who died Dec. 29 at 100 in his hometown of Plains, Ga., lived the longest of any U.S. president in history.

Pay & Benefits

Biden signs windfall elimination provision repeal into law

The Social Security Fairness Act ends both the WEP and the government pension offset, increasing the Social Security checks for more than 2 million retired public servants.

Management

Biden to close federal agencies Jan. 9 for Carter day of mourning

The White House unveiled an executive order Monday giving federal employees Jan. 9 off in recognition of the death of the 39th president.

Pay & Benefits

Biden finalizes 2% pay raise for feds next month

The president was apparently unmoved by federal employee groups and some House Democrats’ pleas to restore pay parity between the civilian and military workforces.