Oversight
Play of the Day: The President's Bones
In another controversial tweet, Donald Trump said that he doesn't "have a Racist bone in my body!"
Management
Esper Assures Wary Senators He'll Keep Military Out of Politics
During his confirmation hearing, the SecDef nominee was asked about Trump, China, and Russia — and not Afghanistan, ISIS, or al-Qaeda.
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Appeals Court: DOJ Can Hand Out Police Grants Based on Immigration Enforcement
A federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration can effectively penalize sanctuary cities by awarding preference points for COPS grants to jurisdictions that cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Management
Labor Authority General Counsel Nominee Vows Impartiality, But Unions Cry Foul
Federal employee unions oppose the nomination of Catherine Bird to vet complaints before the FLRA, citing her work in collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of management.
Management
High-Level Vacancies Are Weakening Agency Management and Oversight, Lawmaker Says
Rep. Gerry Connolly’s comments marked the release of a bipartisan report recommending ways agencies can deliver better on their missions.
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Black Homeownership Hits A 50-Year Low
The gap between white and black homeownership has also remained largely the same since the 1960s, despite economic and political gains that African Americans have achieved since then.
Management
Would-Be Postal Regulators Pledge to Hold Mailing Agency More Accountable
PRC nominees say hitting performance goals, finalizing pricing system are top priorities.
Nextgov
The Pentagon Releases Its 5-Year Digital Modernization Strategy
Officials outlined plans to drive innovation, streamline IT acquisitions and build a more agile and resilient cyber posture.
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Why Local Governments Are Considering Balloon Release Bans
Releasing balloons is tantamount to littering, according to one Maryland elected official.
Defense
Sen. Warren Spars with Defense Secretary Nominee Over His Lobbyist Work
The Democratic presidential candidate said that Mark Esper, who has declined to recuse himself from Raytheon-related decisions, should not lead the Pentagon.
Workforce
Interior Announces Plan to Move Bureau's Headquarters, and Some Employees, West
Administration says the moves will better position employees to manage lands, though critics warn of resulting staff cuts.
Management
Three Questions to Keep Yourself From Losing Your Cool
I’ve learned to take my rant offline rather than saying or doing something I’m going to regret later.
Nextgov
Trump Nominates Acting CMO To Be Third In Line at Pentagon
Lisa Hershman has been nominated to officially take over the role after more than seven months as acting chief management officer.
Management
Court Delivers Blow to Federal Unions Fighting Trump’s Workforce Orders
A three-judge panel found that federal employee unions should have gone to the FLRA with their legal challenges before filing a federal lawsuit.
Management
A Border Patrol Agent Reveals What It’s Really Like to Guard Migrant Children
With the agency under fire for holding children in deplorable conditions and over racist and misogynistic Facebook posts, one agent speaks about what it’s like to do his job. “Somewhere down the line people just accepted what’s going on as normal.”
Defense
Inside the Pentagon’s Game of Musical Chairs
Richard V. Spencer is the year’s third acting defense secretary — but there are a lot more moving pieces than that.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Another Eventful Twitter Day With the President
Donald Trump told four members of Congress to "go back…from which they came."
Defense
Report Shows Wide Variation in Financial Management Across Defense Agencies
Military branches were among the worst-performing entities on the department’s first comprehensive audit, analysis finds.
Tech
Young Americans Deserve a 21st-century Moonshot to Mars
Americans need a new multi-decade Moonshot that will inspire several generations to shoot for the stars and pursue careers in space engineering and exploration.
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