Pay & Benefits
Federal Judge Dismisses Shutdown Lawsuit
A federal employee union had argued that forcing federal employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations constitutes a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, but a judge on Monday ruled that with the government open, the case is now moot.
Management
Experts Agree that Trump’s Coronavirus Response Was Poor, but the U.S. Was Ill-Prepared in the First Place
Trump called coronavirus a hoax, and he dragged his feet in addressing it. But the U.S. health care system was ill-equipped from the start to deal with such a crisis. The pandemic shows the flaws.
Management
White House Recommends Telework for Certain Feds
The Office of Management and Budget "encouraged" agencies to sign up federal workers that are members of high-risk populations for telework, and to coordinate with state and local institutions.
Management
Coronavirus Control Measures Aren’t Pointless – Just Slowing down the Pandemic Could Save Millions of Lives
Best case estimates suggest 40 million American adults may come down with COVID-19. But an epidemiologist explains why now is not the time to just give up.
Management
How the State Department Could Be Rebuilt After the Trump Administration
The damage at the State Department is worse than you imagine—but also more reparable.
Defense
Pentagon Suspends Troop Travel in Affected Countries; Trump Limits Travel from Mainland Europe
Defense Secretary orders 60-day ban on troops, civilians, and families traveling “to, from, or through” Germany, South Korea, Italy, France, others.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Transparency in the Trump Administration
Courtney Bublé and Tom Shoop join the podcast to examine the White House's claim that it is the "most transparent ever."
Defense
Trump Treats the Military as His Own – and the Troops Could Suffer
If President Donald Trump were to start a conflict, many Americans would likely view as it a misguided effort. What would that mean for the troops?
Oversight
EPA Scientists Found a Toxic Chemical Damages Fetal Hearts. the Trump White House Rewrote Their Assessment.
An internal scientific evaluation of TCE obtained by Reveal shows detailed interference by the Executive Office of the President.
Management
Trump Signs Bill to Strengthen Presidential Transition Ethics Requirements
The bipartisan legislation also has requirements for GSA and other federal agencies.
Oversight
Experts Call for Reform of Vacancies Act Following Trump’s Intelligence Director Nomination
Acting DNIs can “risk our national security with extended unqualified leadership,” said one expert.
Workforce
The President Is Winning His War on American Institutions
How Trump is destroying the civil service and bending the government to his will.
Management
GovExec Daily: Where Governments Are Succeeding – and Failing – in the Coronavirus Fight
Kate Queram and Eric Katz rejoin the program to assess the new wave of pandemic response from federal, state and local authorities.
Oversight
Senate Democrats Call on Justice Dept. IG to Investigate Political Interference
Meddling by the Trump administration could “permanently damage the integrity and independence” of the department, they wrote.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: The White House Says It Is Purging Never Trumpers from Agencies
With reports that the White House has lists of "disloyal" people in government, Katherine McIntire Peters and Eric Katz joined GovExec Daily to discuss what that will mean for civil servants.
Management
Defense Chief Says He Didn’t Ask for Union Memo, Declines to Say How He Will Use New Power
Esper told lawmakers he would wait for staff recommendations before using the newly granted authority to outlaw collective bargaining among Pentagon civilian workers.
Management
Trump Endorsed a Risky Antidepressant for Veterans. Lawmakers Want to Know if His Mar-a-Lago Pals Had a Stake in the Drugmaker.
House Democrats requested emails and financial records as they investigate why the president told the VA to “corner the market” on a Johnson & Johnson drug.
Oversight
Democratic Candidates Defend Their Records on Transparency During Nevada Primary Debate
Presidential contenders who have criticized Trump for his secrecy were forced to explain their own actions.
Management