Tech
Login.gov to add passports as identity proofing option
Trump appointees have called the in-house service a priority for anti-fraud efforts.
Oversight
OPM will forego FEVS in 2025, despite law requiring it
The Office of Personnel Management did not answer questions regarding how the federal government will administer a survey of the 16 core Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey questions, which are spelled out in statute.
Pay & Benefits
New Education rule could end public service loan forgiveness for some and open a wealth of questions
The proposed rule would exclude employers from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if they engage in “activities that have a substantial illegal purpose,” but raises even more questions for the program.
Management
Improved emergency communication in federal buildings focus of new bipartisan legislation
Federal building security has been a longstanding concern for lawmakers and government watchdogs.
Pay & Benefits
Coverage for gender-affirming care will be eliminated from FEHB plans in 2026
The federal HR agency removed all coverage of gender-affirming care from its health benefits program, barring three exceptions, following two recent executive orders.
Management
19 states sue the Energy Department over new funding caps on sustainable energy projects
States say the new 10% cap on “indirect” and “fringe” costs for State Energy Program projects is arbitrary, unlawful and could cause job losses and project cuts.
Management
Politicizing the federal grantmaking process
COMMENTARY | The Trump administration's new approach to federal grantmaking oversight runs the risk of becoming enmeshed in fresh red tape.
Workforce
The Trump administration is considering notifying probationary employees they were fired for cause, actually
The proposal comes despite a new audit finding 99.5% of the 7,300 fired IRS probationers had received fully successful performance ratings, or no ratings at all.
Workforce
Judge certifies class in lawsuit on behalf of ex-USAID workers, contractors
Though a federal appeals court previously blocked Judge Theodore Chuang’s injunction finding the Trump administration’s efforts to shutter the foreign aid agency to be ‘likely unconstitutional,’ the case is again moving forward under an amended complaint.
Management
Spending transparency data posted by Trump budget office after court order
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said that the apportionment information must be “promptly made public.”
News
4 GOP states send nearly 1,000 National Guard to D.C. for Trump crackdown
Governors from Ohio, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia agreed to send National Guardsmen to the nation's capital.
Workforce
Trump administration seeks permission to finalize mass layoffs at HHS
Many of the department's RIFs have been held up by a July court order.
Defense
Navy to cut at least a third of its civilian public-affairs staff
The service is also centralizing all PAO hiring and contracting.
Exclusive
Management
Trump administration hopes AI can mitigate staffing losses, federal CIO says
Gregory Barbaccia, who was named the federal chief information officer just a week into the new administration, said one of his priorities is learning how to do more with less.
Management
New law aims to avoid repeat of recent scandals at Veterans Affairs
VA in 2024 paid millions in critical skill bonuses to senior executives and received nearly $3 billion in supplemental funding to address a budget shortfall that ultimately didn’t materialize.
Management
Inspect what you expect: Lessons in leadership and accountability
COMMENTARY | Effective leadership means setting goals, monitoring progress and ensuring results, writes one former federal manager.
Oversight
House Dems: Trump is starving inspectors generals of resources, blocking investigations
Some inspector general offices have reported 20 to 30% decreases in staffing as a result of the administration’s myriad efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce.
Management
Troops in DC to help with ‘monument security,’ ‘area beautification’
Pentagon officials had few details to offer Wednesday about the National Guard’s role in the unprecedented deployment.
Oversight
Good government group alleges Commerce secretary violated federal ethics law
Several government officials have run afoul of the Hatch Act in recent years for making political comments in their official capacities during media interviews.
Management