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.

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.