Management
Trump DOJ’s focus on immigration will hurt crime-fighting efforts, Democrats argue
Senior officials in the Trump administration have recently redirected DOJ personnel and resources toward immigration enforcement.
Pay & Benefits
The unplanned retirement dilemma
If you hadn’t given much thought to retirement before receiving the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" email on Jan. 28, you may be in for a few surprises—not all of them pleasant.
Updated
Workforce
Trump administration’s 'deferred resignation' deadline blocked until next week
OPM is required to notify all employees who received an initial "deferred resignation" offer by Thursday evening that the deadline for accepting the legally dubious offer has been pushed until Monday.
Workforce
Many federal supervisors this week had just hours to send tweet-length justifications to save their employees’ jobs
OPM renewed its push at some agencies to glean information on recently hired federal employees.
Management
OPM asks to dismiss email server lawsuit, citing misinterpretation of law
The agency notably released a privacy impact assessment for the dubious email server used to mass-message federal employees about a deferred resignation offer on the same day as the legal dismissal request.
Transition
Congressional Democrats tell skeptical protestors they’ll stop Trump’s elimination of USAID
Members of Congress who spoke at Wednesday’s rally said an upcoming government funding deadline could be an opportunity to stifle Trump’s plans to weaken federal agencies.
Transition
Musk’s DOGE efforts pose a ‘constitutional crisis,’ experts warn
Elon Musk has spent the first two weeks of the Trump administration parachuting into government offices, leaving extensive — and some say legally prohibited — changes in his wake.
Management
DOGE enters NOAA, accesses IT systems and removes the top HR official
The Musk-led team is rooting out DEI and, some lawmakers fear, may have an eye toward grander aims at the agency.
Pay & Benefits
Can I afford an early retirement? 4 things to consider before making the leap
COMMENTARY | From return-to-office mandates to the reappearance of Schedule F, many feds may be finding themselves on a fast track to retirement whether they wanted it or not. But are they financially prepared? What planning should be done before considering an early federal retirement?
Updated
Workforce
USAID begins sending administrative leave notices ahead of expected shutdown
The agency also reportedly has ordered overseas missions to shut down by the end of the week.
Workforce
Thousands more recent federal hires receive warnings of their easy-to-fire status
The Trump administration is ratcheting up its efforts to push federal workers out of government.
Workforce
FBI agents sue over DOJ-demanded lists of personnel involved in Jan. 6 investigations
The lawsuit follows a Jan. 31 memo from the acting deputy attorney general ordering the firing of several FBI leaders and calling for the identification of other agents.
Updated
Workforce
Agencies ramp up pressure on their workers to quit
New guidance continues to defend the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" program as legal, though it fails to address its apparent violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act.
Management
Senate confirms new VA secretary as Dems demand he protect employees from hiring freeze and firings
Doug Collins should also not cooperate with Elon Musk's cost-cutting team or allow any funding freezes to continue, top Democrat says.
Workforce
Union chief: It’s not just a threat to federal employees
COMMENTARY | "Either we fight for our federal workforce now...or we will suffer the consequences of a government ill-equipped to protect and deliver for the taxpaying citizens of our nation," writes Doreen Greenwald, national president for the National Treasury Employees Union.
Workforce
Unions sue Treasury over DOGE access to payment systems
Anonymous plaintiffs also called for a temporary restraining order Tuesday to prevent OPM from using a newly installed email system to mass-message federal employees.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds rebound to start 2025
After a rocky end to 2024, all funds in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished January in the black.
Workforce
OPM claims agencies can ignore union telework contracts
A new memo instructing agencies to cease enforcing union-negotiated telework policies under the guise of “management rights” could portend future assaults on collective bargaining.
Management
USPS offers ‘little convincing evidence’ its reform plans will succeed, regulator says
Watchdog suggests Louis DeJoy’s overhaul initiatives are destined for failure without significant changes
Transition