Defense

Viewpoint: The Mattis Two-Step

The forever general’s attempt to "stay out of politics" is bringing him right into it.

Oversight

House Democrats Probe Federal Officials’ Stays at Trump Properties

Lawmakers look into possible Emoluments Clause violations and potential waste of taxpayer funds.

Oversight

Play of the Day: More on Alabama and Hurricane Maps

Donald Trump tweeted quite a bit in defense of his comments about the path of Hurricane Dorian.

Workforce

Union Lawsuit Accuses Administration of Violating Injunction against Workforce Orders

A New York local argues that by implementing provisions of Trump’s workforce executive orders through collective bargaining, agencies violated a U.S. District Court injunction.

Oversight

Play of the Day: The President and Category 5 Hurricanes

There have been a few during his time in office, but he has curiously not heard of them.

Management

Viewpoint: Trump Invites Pence to Stay at His Place—Then Hands Taxpayers the Bill

The president suggested that Vice President Mike Pence and his retinue spend tens of thousands of dollars at his golf resort in Ireland.

Pay & Benefits

Trump Endorses 2.6% Across the Board Pay Raise for Federal Workers

In a surprise move Friday, the president abandoned his quest for a pay freeze in 2020, although there will be no locality pay adjustment under his plan.

Management

Unions Request Rehearing of Trump's Federal Workforce Orders Case

Attorneys argue that a three-judge panel erred in overturning an injunction against three controversial executive orders on jurisdictional grounds. The outcome could have enormous consequences for federal employees.

Management

The Man Who Couldn’t Take It Anymore

“I had no choice but to leave,” General James Mattis says of his decision to resign as President Trump’s secretary of defense.

Management

Viewpoint: Trump Wants to Nuke His Way Out of Big Problems

The president seeks bumper-sticker solutions to complicated problems, from hurricane prevention to border walls.

Management

Analysis: New Trump Rules Stand to Block the Public From Information About the Treatment of Detained Migrant Children

The administration plans to scrap the Flores settlement, meaning the long-term or indefinite detention of migrant children will carry on out of public view.

Management

White House Backs Down in Fight Over Foreign Aid Spending Cuts

The move would have raised legal questions and disrupted negotiations over governmentwide funding.

Defense

Trump Threatens to ‘Release’ ISIS Fighters into France, Germany

The president wants European governments to repatriate and try citizens being held by Syrian resistance forces.

Defense

U.S. Army: No Afghanistan Withdrawal Plans Yet

“We have not received any direction to do anything at this point,” says Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy.

Management

Attorney General Orders Reassignment of Acting Bureau of Prisons Director 

Move comes in the aftermath of financier Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide at a Manhattan federal correctional facility.   

Management

New Lawsuit Argues Impasses Panel's Recent Decisions Are Illegitimate

Union argues the Federal Service Impasses Panel must have all seven members in order to issue decisions, and that panel appointees must be confirmed by the Senate.

Management

Another Union Sues to Block Trump Workforce Orders

Although an injunction against the executive orders could soon be lifted, a federal lawsuit brought by a union representing Veterans Affairs employees in New York could prolong the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail collective bargaining activities.

Pay & Benefits

What Needs to Happen for Civilians to Get a 2020 Pay Raise

Trump is likely to announce by the end of August his intent to institute a pay freeze, and Congress would need to override him.

Management

Analysis: Obama Warned Trump—But He Didn’t Listen

The 44th president became a devotee of unilateral presidential actions—and then saw many moves quickly reversed once he left office.

Oversight

Play of the Day: The President Does Not Care If He's Losing Money By Being In Office

Donald Trump told factory workers "if you're wealthy, it doesn't matter" while touting his love of the job.