Pay & Benefits
Some good news for federal employees: TSP shows steady growth and healthy fund performance
The Thrift Savings Plan has surpassed $1 trillion in assets, providing steady returns in 2025.
Oversight
Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence
Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.
Oversight
Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'
It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.
Tech
Nonprofit sues 4 agencies for details on AI use in enacting Trump policy
Democracy Forward is suing four federal agencies in a bid to access official documentation regarding if and how AI has been used in the Trump administration’s policy execution.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds continue to tick upward in September
For a second consecutive month, all of the funds in the Thrift Savings Plan increased in value.
Workforce
White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away
So far, just one agency has pursued RIFs while others have largely followed normal shutdown procedures.
Pay & Benefits
Maryland Dems float unemployment insurance for federal workers during shutdown
Congressional Democrats aim to provide benefits to federal employees forced to work during the shutdown, and other pay and benefits news you may have missed this week.
Oversight
Dave Powner returns to GAO, this time to advocate for its bipartisan, cost-saving work
“We are the watchdog for the Congress, and it's really important that they collectively know our value,” congressional relations official Dave Powner told Nextgov/FCW.
Management
Government spirals into shutdown with Trump promising mass layoffs
A last-ditch effort to keep government funded failed Tuesday night. Agencies will begin furloughing staff on Wednesday.
Workforce
Just 23% of fed workers would be furloughed if the government shuts down, under the Trump administration’s plan
Several agencies plan to keep more employees working than usual, leading to fewer workers being sent home.
Defense
Hegseth uses unprecedented meeting to unveil 10 personnel, due-process reviews
After summoning senior officers from around the world, the Defense secretary invites them to resign if they don’t agree with him.
Workforce
Despite layoff threat, some feds see government shutdown as an opportunity to push back on Trump’s ‘lawlessness’
Federal employees and members of Congress who spoke at Monday’s press conference pointed out that agency reductions in force can proceed regardless of whether there’s a government shutdown.
Workforce
Judge blocks Trump’s anti-union executive order for IFPTE-represented workers
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the president “clearly” exceeded his authority when issuing an edict stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of its collective bargaining rights.
Tech
‘Widespread’ breach let hackers steal employee data from FEMA and CBP
A Citrix vulnerability — suspected to have led to firings of multiple FEMA technology staff — enabled the breach, which let hackers pilfer data from FEMA servers connected to states at the southern border.
Workforce
Trump administration is on track to cut 1 in 3 EPA staffers by the end of 2025
Critics say the staffing cuts hinder the agency’s ability to keep pollution out of air and water.
Management
Disparities emerge in FEMA disaster assistance after Hurricane Helene
An analysis of FEMA housing assistance following Hurricane Helene reveals that higher-income households in North Carolina's rural counties received more aid, raising concerns about equity in disaster relief distribution.
Management
Sides remain divided, White House predicts shutdown will occur on eve of funding lapse
Democratic leaders say “large differences” remain after meeting with President Trump.
Workforce
Bureau of Prisons the latest federal agency to cancel its union contracts
Labor leaders said the effort to bust their union is particularly ill-timed, given the prospect of a government shutdown that could begin as soon as Wednesday.
Management
Reductions in force could make bad situation worse for federal contractors during government shutdown
Some federal contractors have already reported problems connecting with their contracting officers.
Workforce