Workforce
Feds will probably have to work on Christmas Eve, but a holiday miracle would not be unprecedented
Because Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, President Donald Trump may give government workers Dec. 26 off rather than Christmas Eve.
Management
Plan to break up the Education Department would strain other agencies, Democrats and students warn
Lawmakers and student leaders say shifting major Education Department programs to other federal departments after deep layoffs and downsizing would create service gaps, weaken oversight and leave vulnerable students without support.
Management
Trump says he is voiding Biden executive actions signed with autopen
In a social media post, the president declared any Biden-era orders, pardons or laws authorized with an autopen “terminated,” leaving legal authority unclear and federal agencies uncertain about whether any directives are actually affected.
Defense
Pentagon investigates Sen. Mark Kelly after he appears in video blasted by Trump
The Defense Department’s inquiry has intensified tensions between the administration and Democratic lawmakers while spotlighting the limits of military law over members of Congress.
Defense
Trump: Telling troops to refuse illegal orders is 'seditious behavior'
"Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders,” six Democratic lawmakers said in a video. "TRAITORS!!!" Trump responded.
Management
SSA abandons planned disability program overhaul expected to cut benefits for thousands
Trump administration officials informed the co-founder of a nonprofit disability advocacy group that a proposed rule — which would have updated decades-old occupational data, in addition to changing eligibility considerations — will no longer be moving forward.
Tech
Upcoming White House cyber strategy to seek more involvement with private sector
The Trump 2.0 cyber strategy is in development, National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said, though he did not elaborate on when it would be released.
Workforce
Trump’s latest order requires strategic plans reflective of presidential ‘priorities’ to resume hiring
While experts agree that agencies should seek to address new skills gaps created by the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal workforce, language enshrining “administration priorities” into those plans could politicize hiring of career workers.
Workforce
Multiple CISA divisions targeted in shutdown layoffs, people familiar say
CISA units including its Stakeholder Engagement division are believed to have been hit. A DHS spokesperson said that the RIFs are meant to help get CISA “back on mission.”
Management
Cabinet leaders detail how the government shutdown is impacting their agencies
President Donald Trump on Thursday reiterated his threat that he would use the appropriations lapse to justify cutting “Democrat programs.”
Management
Senate again votes against ending shutdown, something White House said would trigger layoffs
There is still no path toward reopening government and Trump reiterates RIF threat.
Management
Bisignano to lead IRS in addition to SSA duties, raising questions about the Senate confirmation process
Experts warned that the move could further facilitate the consolidation of Social Security and IRS databases for use in immigration enforcement.
Workforce
White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away
So far, just one agency has pursued RIFs while others have largely followed normal shutdown procedures.
Workforce
Judge blocks Trump’s anti-union executive order for IFPTE-represented workers
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the president “clearly” exceeded his authority when issuing an edict stripping two-thirds of the federal workforce of its collective bargaining rights.
Management
Sides remain divided, White House predicts shutdown will occur on eve of funding lapse
Democratic leaders say “large differences” remain after meeting with President Trump.
Oversight
GAO: Forest Service upgrades to wildfire communications and tracking imperiled by Trump’s workforce downsizing
The U.S. Forest Service neither agreed nor disagreed with a recommendation to develop a strategic plan for upgrading systems to track wildfire fighting resources, instead taking issue with the title of the government watchdog’s report.
Workforce
Labor groups warn of ‘gaping hole’ in First Amendment if court OKs Trump’s anti-union orders
The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will reexamine a prior decision allowing the White House’s effort to strip two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights to go into effect.
Management
Trump’s reported use of the FBI against political opponents reflects earlier controversies from the J. Edgar Hoover era
COMMENTARY | Recent developments involving the agency have sparked comparisons to earlier episodes in the agency’s history.
Workforce
Bill to nullify Trump’s union executive orders introduced by 48 senators
All Senate Democrats and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have signed on as sponsors of the Protect America’s Workforce Act, while the measure is just two signatures away from guaranteed floor debate in the House.
Management