Defense

Army Disciplines 14 Soldiers, Creates New Duty Status After Murder

The steps follow the conclusion of one of several inquests into the April murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen.

Oversight

Efforts to Stop Trump’s Border Wall Construction Could Extend Long Past Inauguration Day

President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next month will mark a change in border policies, but the litigation over Donald Trump’s border wall could continue, wall opponents say.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: A Pay Freeze and Schedule F Update

Erich Wagner joins the podcast to discuss the latest in federal workforce news.

Route Fifty

'It's All Gone Too Far:' A State Election Official Takes on Trump and the Age of Misinformation

Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system implementation manager, called out his fellow Republicans for failing to condemn threats and conspiracy theories in the wake of the election. The world heard him.

Route Fifty

With Vaccine Approval Imminent, States Ready Plans to Give People Their Shots

The federal government could approve and begin distributing vaccines to protect against Covid-19 as soon as next week.

Route Fifty

McConnell: State and Local Aid Should Be Left Out of Near-Term Virus Relief Deal

The Senate majority leader recommended passing a package with programs that Democrats and Republicans can agree on, while the Trump administration offered its own proposal.

Management

Advocacy Group Urges Biden to ‘Clean House’ at Social Security, Lessen Impact of Payroll Tax Deferral

Under a proposal floated by the organization Social Security Works, federal employees would have twice as long next year to pay back the payroll taxes they were forced to defer by the Trump administration.

Workforce

Incoming Biden Officials Praise Career Federal Workers

Nominees' new tone marks contrast from the often adversarial relationship between Trump administration and career feds.

Management

Lead Like Leo: Lessons From ‘The West Wing’

Those taking the reins in Washington could benefit from binge-watching the classic political drama.

Oversight

White House Trade Adviser Violated Hatch Act Multiple Times, Watchdog Finds 

The Office of Special Counsel recommended disciplinary action, but the Trump administration has been weak on enforcing the law prohibiting political activity in the federal workplace. 

Management

Biden’s Special Counsel Problem

Attorney General William Barr directed U.S. Attorney John Durham to investigate the FBI’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. What it means and how we got here.

Management

Biden’s Pick for CDC Director Hailed for Gender Equity Commitment

Rochelle Walensky, who heads the infectious disease unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, will shape how the government distributes coronavirus vaccines.

Management

Dozens of Ex-OMB Officials Condemn Effort to Politicize Most of Agency’s Career Workforce

Former high-ranking career staffers and political appointees sign joint statement urging rejection of proposal to reclassify almost 90 percent of OMB employees.

Defense

Biden Selects Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin for Defense Secretary, Reportedly

Austin, the last commander of the Iraq War, would be the nation's first Black defense secretary.

Defense

Trump Admin to Rename Two Bases for Space Force Over Military Objections

The Air Force had quietly agreed with Congress not to change anything until the NDAA settles a way forward on Confederate base names.

Management

Racism at the County Level Associated with Increased COVID-19 Cases and Deaths

Blacks are at greater risk of dying from COVID-19 than whites. A study that examined racism at the country level had surprising results.

Management

GovExec Daily: What Federal Execs Can Expect During the Transition

National Academy of Public Administration Fellow Sallyanne Harper joins the podcast to discuss what her life was as a senior official during a transition… and what others can expect during this transition.

Route Fifty

Nearly 1-in-6 Restaurants Are Closed, Some Permanently, Industry Group Says

The National Restaurant Association estimates there are now over 110,000 closures and says the industry badly needs government aid to get through the pandemic.

Nextgov

Flournoy Should Lead Biden’s Pentagon, Armed Services Chairman Says 

Rep. Adam Smith told reporters Michèle Flournoy would help the Defense Department cut red tape to engage with new technologies needed for the future of defense.