Oversight
Inspectors general are facing an identity crisis. Here’s how some former IGs would preserve the watchdogs’ independence
A panel of former leaders of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency made several recommendations for reforming the group, which has been targeted by the Trump administration.
Federal disability employment program faced widespread compliance problems, whistleblower investigation finds
The AbilityOne Commission countered that “many of the compliance concerns cited by [the Office of Special Counsel] occurred during periods of operational disruption, including the pandemic.”
DHS watchdog says Noem-era policy hampered probe into FEMA employees skipping homes with Trump signs
Auditors found that the Federal Emergency Management Agency also did not provide consistent Hatch Act training to employees.
Lawmakers call for watchdog review of DOT’s passenger privacy practices
The Transportation Department “has never taken a single enforcement action related to privacy,” Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, said in a letter to the Government Accountability Office.
GSA says it’s uncovered ‘record-setting’ $13B in suspected procurement fraud
The White House added General Services Administration fraud estimates to its website that serves as a ledger for suspected fraud across the federal government.
Postal inspectors aren’t being pulled away from mail crime investigations for immigration enforcement, IG reports
The watchdog found that postal white collar crime investigations were not affected by “resource shifts.”
Watchdog: NSA’s NDAs don’t comply with whistleblower law
As the Trump administration weighs instituting a standardized non-disclosure agreement for employees across government, one agency that already uses them routinely fails to educate workers about their whistleblower rights.
‘Glaring violations’ of the Hatch Act by senior Trump officials have gone unpunished for months, good government group alleges
On Thursday, the Office of Special Counsel submitted disciplinary complaints against two federal employees over apparent Hatch Act violations.
The watchdog gets watched: GAO’s hiring process length faces scrutiny
In a new report by the inspector general for the Government Accountability Office, investigators also found that in fiscal 2024 the agency excluded certain data from time-to-hire calculations and was inconsistent about when the hiring process started.
Attorney general violated Hatch Act ethics rules, nonprofit says
Good government groups have filed Hatch Act complaints against several Trump administration officials.
Getting a simple FOIA request from OPM shouldn’t be this hard
COMMENTARY | A frequent FOIA requester found himself navigating dead inboxes, broken portals and months-long waits after cuts gutted the Office of Personnel Management’s public records operation.
State’s overseas housing rules haven’t kept up with the times, GAO says
The agency is still using standards tied to the D.C. housing market of 1991 to determine how much space employees stationed abroad can have.
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Project 2025 contributor nominated for government watchdog position
While the president recently nominated Dennis Kirk to serve as inspector general at the Interior Department, he’s reportedly already working in that office as a political appointee.
Key oversight and federal workforce nominees confirmed by Senate
Several of the individuals will lead agencies that have been downsized or otherwise weakened by the Trump administration.
Calls for IG probe of Reflecting Pool renovation come amid questions over watchdog's independence
The former inspector general at Interior and a senior House lawmaker criticized the apparent appointment of a Project 2025 co-author at the watchdog office.
Watchdog puts new numbers on the size of DOGE, but many details remain unknown as agencies refuse to turn over information
In a new report, the Government Accountability Office said it was unable to verify if all Department of Government Efficiency employees completed mandatory activities intended to avoid conflicts of interest.
FEMA slashed staff without considering the effects on future disaster response, watchdog reports
The Government Accountability Office also found that the disaster agency is currently operating without a strategic workforce plan to determine staffing needs.
Inspectors general are conducting fewer oversight reports after 18 months of upheaval
In a new report, the Partnership for Public Service noted that the average Cabinet inspector general office has shrunk by 19% since the end of 2024.
Dem senators demand answers on SSA field office closures despite Bisignano’s vow
Just weeks after the Social Security commissioner falsely accused his predecessor of turning away members of the public, lawmakers say Bisignano has done just that.
Bill aims to end blocked congressional access at federal buildings
A new bill would set governmentwide rules for congressional visits after disputes over access to agencies and immigration detention centers.
Despite firings, acting IG says it’s 'the best time to be in the inspector general community' due to focus on fraud
A panel of inspectors general at a government accounting conference also discussed challenges combating technologically advanced scams and performing more proactive oversight.
