Exclusive
Management
ODNI expected to shrink counterintelligence, counterterror centers
The steps are the latest in a series of moves that several current and former officials see as enabling broad vulnerability to foreign espionage attempts.
Tech
‘Whole-of-nation’ effort needed to deter nation-state hackers, new White House cyber director says
Newly confirmed ONCD director Sean Cairncross wants to work with the private sector to develop a toolkit for stopping foreign hackers and boosting U.S. cyberdefenses.
Tech
Agencies and industry announce efforts to further Presidential AI Challenge
The Trump administration is angling to leverage private sector partnerships and an all-hands agency approach to establish a robust U.S. AI workforce and education platform.
Pay & Benefits
OPM lays out early plans for law enforcement-only pay raise
Federal employee groups decried President Trump’s plan to raise pay for most civilian employees by just 1% next year while giving military service members and law enforcement officers 3.8%.
Workforce
More unions sue following second edict banning them, alleging retaliation
Although left off the initial list of agencies where the Trump administration wants to ban unions, two labor groups said they were targeted after seeking to enforce their collective bargaining agreements.
Pay & Benefits
Trump intends to give feds 1% pay raise with some law enforcement officers getting more
White House officials had previously suggested that there would be no increases to federal employees’ salaries in 2026.
Updated
Workforce
A fresh executive order aims to ban unions at more federal agencies
A new edict published alongside President Trump’s proclamation celebrating Labor Day seeks to outlaw collective bargaining at more than half a dozen additional agencies under the auspices of “national security.”
Workforce
Appeals court will reconsider decision to allow Trump’s anti-union order to take effect
The announcement comes as the Trump administration has seemingly reneged on promises to hold off on fully implementing the edict until lawsuits seeking to block the order are complete.
Workforce
Trump orders new federal hiring to fight crime in U.S. cities
The president tasked agencies with creating a new, specialized unit to focus on public safety.
Management
Airbnb co-founder and DOGE associate to head new federal design office
Joe Gebbia has been working on modernizing retirement processes at the Office of Personnel Management as part of his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Management
Federal law enforcement deployments are coming to other cities, Trump says
The president's authority to issue such deployments is unclear.
Pay & Benefits
Trump’s pay freeze plan expected by end of month
The president must publish his alternative pay plan by Aug. 31 if he wishes to avert automatic large-scale increases to locality pay under the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act.
Tech
Trump signs order calling for improved government design
The new “America by Design” effort includes a recruiting push for relevant talent — though the administration has shed many government designers since Trump took office.
Exclusive
Management
Trump administration hopes AI can mitigate staffing losses, federal CIO says
Gregory Barbaccia, who was named the federal chief information officer just a week into the new administration, said one of his priorities is learning how to do more with less.
Oversight
House Dems: Trump is starving inspectors generals of resources, blocking investigations
Some inspector general offices have reported 20 to 30% decreases in staffing as a result of the administration’s myriad efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce.
Management
Troops in DC to help with ‘monument security,’ ‘area beautification’
Pentagon officials had few details to offer Wednesday about the National Guard’s role in the unprecedented deployment.
Management
FAR Council releases changes to 6 sections of acquisition regulation
The White House celebrated the changes as a milestone in its effort to overhaul and simplify the rules surrounding federal buying.
Workforce
On Social Security’s 90th birthday, the Trump administration continues to tout faulty stats
At a White House ceremony, the president and Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano repeatedly recited already debunked myths about the Social Security Administration’s customer service and benefits fraud.
Tech
How Trump’s DC takeover could supercharge surveillance
The emergency declaration, combined with new tech, will give government broad new abilities to watch and monitor citizens.
Management