Author Archive
Sean Michael Newhouse
Staff Reporter
Sean Michael Newhouse has been with Government Executive since 2024. He covers anything and everything, but particularly focuses on Generation Z’s entry into the federal workforce, how AI will impact agency operations as well as regulatory, contracting and government real estate policy. Previously, Sean reported on House and Senate committees for four years at CQ Roll Call. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Sean Michael Newhouse has been with Government Executive since 2024. He covers anything and everything, but particularly focuses on Generation Z’s entry into the federal workforce, how AI will impact agency operations as well as regulatory, contracting and government real estate policy. Previously, Sean reported on House and Senate committees for four years at CQ Roll Call. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Workforce
‘We’ll still continue to serve’: Many federal employees turn to volunteering during shutdown
Many government workers say they have also had to rely on nonprofits for assistance during the funding lapse.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
‘If you don't serve today, you can serve tomorrow’: Former feds remain hopeful about public service despite challenges under Trump
Former officials, including some pushed out by President Donald Trump, shared stories from their federal service at a National Academy of Public Administration event.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Alleged politicization of public service student loan forgiveness sparks lawsuit against Trump administration
The Education Department published a rule that could block federal student loan borrowers who work for entities that provide assistance to migrants or trans youth from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Senator argues that federal agencies should be more like Spirit Halloween, at least when it comes to real estate
While the Trump administration is prioritizing rightsizing the federal real estate portfolio, it has pared back several more aggressive efforts to offload property.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
‘It’s more important than ever’: Federal employee awards program endures in time of civil service job cuts
Two winners of the Arthur S. Flemming award who spoke to "Government Executive" emphasized the importance of agency internships as well as their own work expanding and protecting access to clean water in the U.S.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Senate committee backs $1.4B FBI HQ move over Democratic protests
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the plan to move the Bureau to the Ronald Reagan Building in a party-line vote, with several legislative hurdles remaining.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
White House pushes agencies to deregulate faster
While President Donald Trump is pursuing a deregulatory agenda, the shutdown is likely hampering progress.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Lawmakers decry shutdown layoffs and the Trump administration’s lack of communication about them
The House Democrats pressed for the reversals of recent reductions in force at the Education and Health and Human Services departments.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Senate Democrats grill inspector general nominees over their independence from Trump
Lawmakers especially criticized the nomination of former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., to lead the Labor Department’s watchdog office.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Whistleblower organizations applaud withdrawal of Trump’s ‘unfit’ nominee to lead oversight office
Media reports in recent weeks found that Paul Ingrassia, who has a history of inflammatory rhetoric, has been accused of sexual harassment and sent racist text messages.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Oversight
Trump fires another inspector general, raising fears about oversight independence
The White House did not provide a rationale for the removal, as required by law. The president has fired nearly 20 watchdogs since the start of his second term.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
The shutdown isn’t hitting everyone equally. Politics and geography may help explain why
Nearly half of respondents in a recent survey said that shutdown firings of federal employees would harm their communities.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Many federal employees bring 9 months of frustrations to ‘No Kings’ protest
Removals of government workers was one of a litany of issues brought up by attendees at the anti-Trump rally.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
‘Where is this so-called efficiency?’ Current and former FEMA employees protest Trump overhauls to disaster agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency employees who publicly signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s changes to the agency have been on administrative leave since August.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
‘We got the people that we want paid’: FBI, military continue receiving paychecks during shutdown
Other federal law enforcement employees, including at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have not been paid due to the funding lapse.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
CDC employees sort through chaotic ‘outbreak of firings’ followed by some reversals
The Trump administration laid off more than 1,000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees ostensibly due to the government shutdown, but officials have rescinded more than half of the reduction in force notices, according to the union.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Which agencies do Americans think are doing a good job?
Recent surveys have shown that how Republicans and Democrats view federal agencies has switched since Donald Trump became president again.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
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.”
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Management
Federal employee appeals board gets quorum after Senate confirms new member
Congressional Democrats also introduced legislation that would allow federal employees to file appeals in a civil court if the Merit Systems Protection Board is backlogged.
- Sean Michael Newhouse
Workforce
Federal employees crowdsource resources to support each other during shutdown
Several nonprofits and state and local governments are offering assistance to civil servants due to the lapse in federal funding.
- Sean Michael Newhouse