Defense
Viewpoint: Keep Politics Out of National-Security Advisory Boards
Trump’s appointment of loyalists to DHS and DOD boards sets a dangerous precedent.
Workforce
How Dozens of Trump’s Political Appointees Will Stay in Government After Biden Takes Over
Documents show that officials appointed by Trump who’d otherwise lose their jobs under Biden have been approved for permanent positions in federal agencies.
Tech
Did Trump Delay the Arrival of At-Home Coronavirus Testing?
Some experts think that at-home testing can stop coronavirus outbreaks, and that the government should have been doing more to produce the tests.
Management
Over 170 Groups Call for Biden Administration to Take Up Ethics Reforms Immediately
President-elect Biden addressed many of their concerns in his campaign platform and transition plan.
Oversight
Judge Orders the Release of Data on Emergency Loans for Small Businesses
A consortium of news organizations, including ProPublica, has won a legal fight against the Small Business Administration. It will now have to publicly release the names of borrowers who got government pandemic loans.
Management
Veterans Affairs Secretary Headlines GOP Fundraiser as COVID-19 Cases Surge
Electioneering by a cabinet secretary is unusual by historical standards, but Trump administration officials continue to show no reluctance to play politics.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Reducing Lobbyist and Corporate Influence
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss a letter from House Democrats to Senate leadership urging against lobbyists in the executive branch.
Management
House Democrats Seek to Reduce Corporate Influence in the Federal Government
A group of progressive-leaning House Democrats urged the Senate to not confirm lobbyists or C-suite officials for political appointments.
Management
The Justice Department May Have Violated Attorney General Barr’s Own Policy Memo
In a memo from May, the attorney general reminded Justice Dept. prosecutors to avoid partisan politics. Then a U.S. attorney in Pennsylvania announced an election investigation that had partisan overtones.
Management
Trump’s Vaccine Czar Refuses to Give Up Stock in Drug Company Involved in His Government Role
The administration calls Moncef Slaoui, who leads its vaccine race, a “contractor” to sidestep rules against personally profiting from government positions. Slaoui owns $10 million in stock of a company working with his team to develop a vaccine.
Oversight
GovExec Daily: Career Feds and Political Interference
Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the investigations into interference into agency work.
Oversight
The Trump Administration Is Backing Out of a $647 Million Ventilator Deal After ProPublica Investigated the Price
The government overpaid by hundreds of millions for Philips ventilators, says a House investigation spurred by ProPublica reporting. Now that deal is off and Congress is scrutinizing other coronavirus deals made by trade adviser Peter Navarro.
Management
Now in Government Food Aid Boxes: A Letter From Donald Trump
Democrats say the letter violates the law against using government resources to campaign. It’s just the latest example of President Trump using his office to boost his reelection hopes.
Workforce
Family Photos at Work Curb Fraud and Unethical Activity
When employees display photos of their friends and family at work, they're less likely to engage in fraud or unethical behavior, researchers say.
Oversight
One Federal Agency Was Suing Him for Fraud. Another Paid His Company Millions for Masks.
Court records show the federal government gave $20 million in contracts to a company partly controlled by a man with a history of shady business practices.
Oversight
Trump Friends and Family Cleared for Millions in Small Business Bailout
Beneficiaries of the PPP included a lettuce farming venture backed by Trump’s son, Kushner companies, and a dentist who golfs with the president. The figures were released after a lawsuit by several news organizations, including ProPublica.
Oversight
Analysis: Should the President Pick the Attorney General?
Attorneys general who serve at the pleasure of the president are more likely to act in pursuit of a particular political agenda, rather than solely in accordance with the rule of law.
Oversight
A Company Run by a White House 'Volunteer' With No Experience in Medical Supplies Got $2.4 Million From the Feds for Medical Supplies
A $2.4 million deal to supply the Bureau of Prisons with surgical gowns was the second multimillion dollar contract for coronavirus supplies that went to somebody who did work for the White House but had little relevant experience.
Management
Analysis: The Justice Department Has Had to Twist Itself in Knots to Defend Trump on Emoluments
For decades, the department has interpreted the Constitution to err on the side of country first. Now all that has changed.
Management
Revenge of the Obamacrats
Obama’s top environmental official wanted nothing to do with politics after leaving the government. What did it take to bring her back?
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