Breaking News Workforce

Judge blocks State Department layoffs

The Trump administration has sought special dispensation to imminently cut staff at State, but employees won a—potentially short-lived—reprieve.

Updated Management

Feds from IRS agents to refugee officers are deploying to assist ICE conduct raids

President Trump is tapping unusual parts of the government immigration enforcement, and offering unprecedented roles.

News

Former USAID official, three contractors plead guilty in $550M bribery scheme

Their decades-long conspiracy involved rigged contracts, NBA tickets, mortgage payments, securities fraud and cash.

Tech

Civic tech leaders worry DOGE is ‘tarnishing’ its tools to improve government

USDS, the White House team DOGE took over in January, was a flagship civic tech organization. Six months later, civic tech is figuring out what’s next.

Tech

Georgetown leverages ex-fed tech experts with new fellowship program

Tech policy experts and U.S. Digital Service alums will join an inaugural program that aims to advance civic technology, while offering experience and insights to public service-focused students.

Pay & Benefits

Senate strips most retirement cuts from reconciliation, but anti-civil service provisions remain

Under language released by a Senate panel Thursday night, new federal workers who decline to serve as at-will employees will pay nearly 15% of their paycheck toward their pension benefit.

Workforce

The Trump hiring plan wants to fix federal jobs, but it might just make things worse

COMMENTARY | The administration’s new approach promises faster, fairer hiring. But with old-school rules and political essay tests, it could actually make the process harder for everyone. There is another, better way.

Tech

Job cuts could throw a wrench in the IRS’s plan to modernize

Agency leaders say they want to complete the “vast majority” of its modernization efforts within the next couple of years.

Management

House GOP clears measure to claw back billions from foreign assistance and public media programs

The Senate will take up this initial effort to codify some Department of Government Efficiency cuts after it finishes work on the budget reconciliation package.

Defense

Lawmakers rip into defense secretary over flat Pentagon budget

The Pentagon is counting on one-time funds from a reconciliation bill to fund investments in shipbuilding and missile defense.

Pay & Benefits

Think you're ready to tap your TSP? Here's what you might be missing

Before touching your Thrift Savings Plan funds, make sure you understand the rules—and the risks—you might not have planned for.

Management

Forest chief says losing 5,000 employees won’t impact fire season response. Many federal firefighters disagree

USFS says it’s ready for fire season after asking separated employees to come back, but employees say the losses have been "crippling."

Management

Trump’s plan to overhaul disaster agency once hurricane season is over prompts Democratic concerns

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already experienced staffing cuts and leadership changes ahead of an “above-normal” hurricane season.

Workforce

Employee groups challenge ‘favorite EO’ question as agencies begin rollout

Experts warn that the Trump administration’s new essay questionnaire for most federal job applicants amount to a litmus test to politicize agency hiring.

Management

AI-driven contract cuts at VA spark concern

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., the ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said DOGE’s use of an AI tool resulted in the “wholesale slashing” of VA contracts.

Pay & Benefits

Estate planning through Revocable Living Trusts: A guide for retirees and government employees

Federal employees can deploy more flexibility in their retirement and estate planning, as well as potentially safeguard assets for their beneficiaries by considering the range of offerings provided by a living trust.

Management

The DOGE 100: Musk is out, but more than 100 of his followers remain to implement Trump’s blueprint

The world’s richest man is leaving a network of acolytes embedded inside nearly every federal agency.

Defense

Hegseth wants to insource work—but doesn't understand why it was outsourced

COMMENTARY | The Defense Department’s recent contracting directives are sweeping, but will they be successful?

Exclusive Workforce

VA signs $700K agreement with OPM for assistance with mass layoffs

The department lacks expertise for such a large reduction, it says, and RIF planners confirm VA leadership is not offering clear guidance.

Management

Agency financial, performance report writers get their moment in the spotlight

An association of government financial professionals sponsors a yearly award ceremony that recognizes outstanding agency accountability reports.