Workforce

Trump’s push for executive order loyalty risks undermining the federal workforce and the Constitution

COMMENTARY | Federal workers are being asked to prove their loyalty to Trump’s agenda, but history shows that when politics overtakes merit, government performance suffers.

Management

“The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-year-old Trump’s team picked to lead terrorism prevention

A Homeland Security office that has led nationwide efforts to prevent hate-fueled attacks, school shootings and other forms of targeted violence is currently being overseen by a former Trump campaign worker with no clear national security experience.

Workforce

NASA renews its push to slash its workforce

The agency would give employees accepting deferred resignations an extended deadline to collect pay while not working.

Workforce

OPM recommends telework, other flexibilities for D.C.-area feds ahead of military parade

The Trump administration previously took pains to end the regular use of telework by federal workers earlier this year.

Updated Workforce

Unions and advocacy groups protest veteran job cuts, warn of downstream impacts

The Trump administration is planning to cut around 15% of staff at the Veterans Affairs Department.

Exclusive Tech

Direct File is 'beloved by its users,' internal IRS report says

The IRS is reportedly ending the Direct File, but a report obtained via the Freedom of Information Act says that 94% of users rated their experience as “excellent” or “above average.”

Management

Trump’s new civil service hiring plan: Merit or Meritless?

COMMENTARY | OPM's new Merit Hiring Plan isn't based on a new principle, but its enactment could make Schedule F look quaint, says the former vice chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Workforce

Agencies ready to move quickly on RIFs if court block falls

Across government, behind-the-scenes preparations for layoffs have taken place or are ongoing.

Workforce

Federal workforce advocates flood opposition to renewed Schedule F

With just a day remaining before the deadline to submit comments on the Trump administration’s proposed Schedule F regulations, the vast majority of more than 30,000 submissions were opposed to the measure.

Management

Small Business Administration would have to relocate field offices from ‘sanctuary jurisdictions’ under House-passed bill

The agency previously said it would move six of its regional offices from cities that have laws limiting their cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Workforce

The evolution of telework in the federal government: A cautionary tale

COMMENTARY | How early telework gains during the pandemic collided with post-COVID realities inside federal agencies.

Management

Vought calls for more OMB staff after spearheading governmentwide cuts

Architect of Trump’s government overhaul says he does not want to "traumatize" feds and some agencies have staff "doing incredible work."

Workforce

Trump administration debuts permitting modernization plan, even as staff cuts could jeopardize it

The new plan builds on Biden-era work, but how implementation goes during Trump-era workforce reductions remains to be seen.

Oversight

Education Department is stonewalling inspector general investigation into staff cuts, Democrats allege

The department’s inspector general informed congressional leaders that officials weren’t turning over requested information and are putting conditions on interviews with staff.

Pay & Benefits

Oversight Dems: Commerce reneged on probationers’ health benefits

Some recently fired probationary workers have also been unable to access their personnel records to show to insurance companies and prospective employers.

Workforce

CISA projected to lose a third of its workforce under Trump’s 2026 budget

The White House’s latest spending proposal projects nearly 1,000 jobs will be slashed at the nation’s lead civilian cyber agency. Related cyber and intel programs across government also face funding rollbacks.