Oversight

Viewpoint: Look Who’s Trying to Seize Private Property

The Trump administration wants to use eminent domain to build the border wall.

Management

Analysis: The Bureaucrats Who Defied the President

In the Watergate era, high-level aides prevented Nixon’s abuses of power.

Management

Top Democrats Call for Emergency Review of DHS Appointments

This is the latest in a series of legal quandaries surrounding the department’s line of succession.

Oversight

Trump’s Anger With IG Over Impeachment Role Highlights High Watchdog Vacancy Rate

There is “a long history of resistance” to inspectors general from the administrations in which they serve, says Paul Light.

Management

Trump Effort to Weaken Union Lawsuit Could Be Unlawful

Labor law experts say a memo granting the Federal Labor Relations Authority the ability to fire members of the Federal Service Impasses Panel undermines the law establishing the two boards.

Defense

The Slow-Boil Revolt: Retired Senior Military Officers Face a Dilemma

They're growing more concerned that the Trump administration doesn’t want their advice, and struggling with how much they can say publicly.

Oversight

McConnell Asked White House For Sanctions Position, Dem Senator Says

The Senate majority leader is weighing the myriad sanctions proposals on the Hill, Sen. Van Hollen said at the Defense One Outlook 2020 conference. 

Management

Top Senators Make Bipartisan Plea for Trump to Fill Homeland Security Vacancies

Lawmakers say a lack of leadership is making it harder for the department to fulfill its mission.

Management

How Mike Pence’s Office Meddled in Foreign Aid to Reroute Money to Favored Christian Groups

Officials at USAID warned that favoring Christian groups in Iraq could be unconstitutional and inflame religious tensions. When one colleague lost her job, they said she had been “Penced.”

Management

Trump Revokes Obama Order That Had Limited Hiring Options for Some Contractors 

Contracting experts had been critical of the lack of flexibility for managers under a rule requiring certain companies to hire employees from their predecessors. 

Defense

General: Trump Pullout Did Not Affect Baghdadi Raid Timing

“We struck because the time was about right,” said CENTCOM’s Gen. Frank McKenzie, of intelligence and other factors.

Defense

Viewpoint: Take It From Me, the Attacks on Vindman Are Disgraceful

I was born abroad and served. So did my three younger brothers. If Vindman is suspicious, are we?

Management

Trump Orders Study of Root Causes of Crime, Policing Practices

Attorney General William Barr will lead the new Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.

Management

John Kelly Says Trump Can't Resist Committing Impeachable Offenses

In the absence of an aide willing to tell the president he can’t break the law, it was inevitable that Trump would commit impeachable acts, claims his former chief of staff.

Defense

ISIS Leader Baghdadi Killed Himself During U.S. Special Ops Raid, Trump Confirms

Trump claims, against the evidence, that killing Baghdadi was administration's "top national security priority."

Oversight

Viewpoint: The Case Against 'Emolument'

The word is outdated. Why not use plain language instead?

Defense

Trump Declares Victory in Syria, Claims Credit for It All

“Let someone else fight over this long-bloodstained sand,” the president says, as Congress fumes.