Political Appointees
Dems say thwarting Trump's controversial OMB pick is a top priority
The senators are still looking for a bipartisan coalition to vote down Russ Vought, a man they said "exudes hate for federal employees."
VA secretary nominee rejects privatization but wants more employee firings
Doug Collins pledges to be a 'cheerleader' for good workers and an adversary for bad ones.
Here's who is leading federal agencies as Trump nominees await confirmation
With one exception, the temporary leaders are career officials.
Trump's pick for DHS chief vows to shake up 'dysfunctional' department, boost workforce morale
Kristi Noem used her confirmation hearing to excoriate work done by DHS during the Biden administration and said big changes are coming.
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IRS chief to step down upon Trump's inauguration, well before his term expires
The announcement follows Trump's decision to replace Biden's top tax collection official.
Trump nominees offer praise to career feds, but promise efficiencies
The president-elect's picks to lead EPA, State and other agencies struck a different tone toward civil servants than some former Trump officials, suggesting the administration would lean on their expertise.
Trump’s pick for OMB chief defends removing civil service protections, withholding appropriated funds
Russ Vought laments "weaponized bureaucracies" as he draws bipartisan criticism for declining to commit to following spending laws.
DOGE agency deployments raise ethical and influence concerns
Trump’s government efficiency commission is reportedly sending staff around government, but its structure remains a mystery.
Some Trump nominees face confirmation delays with ethics and background checks behind schedule
Lawmakers are demanding Senate Republicans not move forward without full vetting, a process delayed by Trump's transition foot-dragging.
OPM clears Trump’s beachhead teams for landing
Existing authorities allow the president-elect to make certain temporary appointments during the transition to a new administration.
Trump names financial tech CEO to lead Social Security
The appointment would mark Frank Bisignano's first foray into government following a career at banks and financial technology companies.
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Trump signals new direction for IRS as he announces atypical plan to replace its leadership
The agency is mid-transformation thanks to an unprecedented cash infusion, but those efforts are now in doubt.
New data shows why it's taking the Senate longer to confirm presidential appointees
President-elect Trump is already pressuring senators to let him bypass, under certain conditions, the Senate’s oftentimes lengthy confirmation process for appointees.
Trump opts for conventional DOJ screenings of nominees and transition team members
The president-elect delayed the process but now says it is a key step for deploying his team into federal agencies.
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O'Malley: SSA’s 2024 progress refutes government doubters
Under the commissioner’s tenure, Social Security has seen marked improvements in its customer service metrics despite continually mounting workloads and dwindling funding.
Who is Pam Bondi? Trump picks longtime ally for attorney general
The former AG for Florida has publicly defended the former president during his criminal cases.
Here’s what we know about the investigations into Matt Gaetz
Trump’s nominee for attorney general has been investigated by the House Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice. He has denied wrongdoing.
O'Malley to step down as SSA chief this month, seeks political role
Martin O'Malley won plaudits for reinvigorating a resource-starved SSA, but will leave his post early.
As Trump names VA pick, firing and privatization come back into the spotlight
Trump's choice is already highlighting some of the most controversial VA priorities from the president-elect's first term.
Senate confirms Biden’s ethics czar, who will remain under Trump
Senate Democrats use dwindling floor time to confirm a new head for the government's ethics office, with whom Trump administration often butted heads in his first term.
