Transition
Senior Democrat wants to know who in the Trump White House got Top Secret clearance without a complete background check
Trump issued a memo providing temporary security clearances for certain personnel, arguing delays in their vetting were "unacceptable."
Workforce
Employee groups, Democrats, experts warn feds not to accept ‘deferred resignation’ offer
The lack of a legal underpinning for the purported eight-month severance package, and Elon Musk’s history of offering—and then revoking—severance payments have many federal workers wary of the measure.
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Workforce
Trump reportedly will offer 'buyouts' to all 2 million federal workers
The White House’s plan to offer “deferred resignations” that pay departing federal employees their salary through Sept. 30 will likely run afoul of rules governing buyout payments.
Transition
Musk visits OPM following workforce assignments for DOGE
Amanda Scales, a former employee of Elon Musk’s AI company, was recently tapped to be the chief of staff at OPM.
Defense
Tracking Trump’s national-security conflicts of interest
Experts say the businessman-turned-president has even more entanglements this time around.
Transition
What to know about executive orders as Trump prepares to take office
What are executive orders — and how do presidents use them? Here’s what to know about them and the scope of their power.
Transition
Biden lauds federal workforce’s dedication in farewell letter
The outgoing president thanked federal employees for their dedication and reflected on his administration's policy achievements and accomplishments.
Tech
US has ‘a lot of work to do’ on cyber defenses, departing cyber czar says
Outgoing National Cyber Director Harry Coker thinks his office needs more influence over the federal cyber budget but not necessarily more authority on offensive cyber operations.
Management
Award-winning VA leaders show the impact that federal employees can have serving the public
The presidential rank awards recognize outstanding senior government executives.
Management
Trump says his transition with the Biden administration is ‘not smooth’
Other reports, including from Trump's own chief of staff, indicate the process is going according to plan.
News
What to know about President Jimmy Carter lying in state at the U.S. Capitol
Carter, who died Dec. 29 at 100 in his hometown of Plains, Ga., lived the longest of any U.S. president in history.
Pay & Benefits
Biden signs windfall elimination provision repeal into law
The Social Security Fairness Act ends both the WEP and the government pension offset, increasing the Social Security checks for more than 2 million retired public servants.
Management
Biden to close federal agencies Jan. 9 for Carter day of mourning
The White House unveiled an executive order Monday giving federal employees Jan. 9 off in recognition of the death of the 39th president.
Pay & Benefits
Biden finalizes 2% pay raise for feds next month
The president was apparently unmoved by federal employee groups and some House Democrats’ pleas to restore pay parity between the civilian and military workforces.
Management
Biden gives federal employees Christmas Eve off
Amid the potential of a government shutdown fueled by budget uncertainties on Capitol Hill, the president issued an executive order on Thursday giving federal employees Dec. 24 off.
Tech
Republican lawmakers ask Trump to kill IRS Direct File
The new program intended to enable free, online tax filing directly with the government has garnered controversy and praise since its inception.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers call on Biden to grant feds a 4.5% raise in 2025, restoring pay parity
President Biden previously came under fire from federal employee groups and some lawmakers for proposing only a 2.0% average pay raise for civilian workers, abandoning a longstanding Democratic priority.
Oversight
Despite critical report, Biden hasn’t taken disciplinary action against DHS watchdog
It’s been about two months since an oversight committee substantiated allegations that DHS inspector general Joseph Cuffari abused his authority, with no word of potential White House action.
Workforce
White House, agencies warn of hiring freezes without ‘anomalies’ to upcoming spending bill
Agencies, already slashing workforce costs due to a constrained budget environment, are now reckoning with yet another short-term funding measure.
Management