Defense
Service Chiefs Acknowledge Racism in the Ranks, Pledge Dialogue, Change
After days of civil unrest and several Esper missteps, each one of the service branch chiefs has begun to speak out.
Defense
James Mattis Denounces Trump as a Threat to the Constitution
In an extraordinary condemnation, the former defense secretary backs protesters and says the president is trying to turn Americans against one another.
Nextgov
Bill Would Prevent the President from Nuking Hurricanes
It came on the first day of hurricane season, in response to a recommendation Trump reportedly made in the past.
Management
Contractors for Trump’s Controversial $3 Billion Food Aid Program Have Hired a Longtime Lobbyist to Tout Their Work
Lawmakers are asking why some federal contractors in Trump’s food aid program apparently lack qualifications to deliver the goods. Companies hired a consultant to tell positive stories.
Workforce
3 Ways Your Pets Feel the COVID-19 Anxiety, Too
Pets could be feeling secondhand anxiety from their owners.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Federal Law Enforcement at D.C. Protests
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss how federal LEOs were part of the response to the demonstrations near the White House.
Route Fifty
Virginia and Richmond Leaders Plan to Move on Confederate Statue Removal
STATE AND LOCAL NEWS ROUNDUP | Hawaii opens up to interisland travel this month … Tropical storm projected to be headed to Gulf Coast … Nebraska governor apologizes for saying ‘you people’ to black pastors.
Defense
Can the President Really Order the Military to Occupy U.S. Cities and States?
President Trump has warned that he will send the military into states to curb protests. Is Trump’s warning bluster? Or does the president have the authority to send the military into American cities?
Management
OMB Nominee Pledges to Work With Congress and GAO on Coronavirus Investigations
The Office of Management and Budget will “be as responsive as we possibly can,” said Russell Vought.
Management
USPS Board Nominees Vow to Protect Agency but Offer Little Expertise on Postal Issues
Board of governor appointees offered few details, say they have a lot to learn about Postal Service operations.
Nextgov
Cyber Commission: Expand Connected Device Security Bill Beyond Federal Procurement Realm
The new recommendation comes in an annex the Cyberspace Solarium Commission released in light of the pandemic.
Pay & Benefits
Washington-Area Feds Face Another Obstacle to Returning to the Office: Metro Upgrades
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Route Fifty
Minnesota Presses for Oversight of Minneapolis Police—Will Other States Follow?
In the absence of federal civil rights investigations into the conduct of local police departments, some states may begin to implement their own consent decree programs.
Defense
Army Scientists: All Strains of COVID-19 Can Be Covered by One Vaccine
The service is on track to produce a vaccine against multiple coronavirus strains by the end of the year. But making it available is the CDC’s job.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: Indian Health Service Forms Critical Response Team; Defense Secretary Reminds Personnel to Be Apolitical
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Seek Answers From FBI, DHS on Protest Involvement
The House Committee on Homeland Security also wants to know how many personnel the agencies dispatched to address the protests.
Route Fifty
Defense Secretary Opposes Deploying Federal Troops in Response to Unrest
His remarks come after President Trump earlier this week raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to send federal troops to assist with law enforcement in some cities.
Defense
Pentagon Says Guard Did Not Tear-Gas Protesters; Downplays Role In Militarized Response
A senior official also said the secretary of Defense was unaware of the plan to clear a public park for a Trump photo op.
Oversight
Labor Dept IG Steps Down Following Pandemic Relief Fund Fraud Warning
“This decision has been long in the works and is for entirely personal reasons. I have not been told or asked to resign,” Scott Dahl said.
Management