Author Archive
Management
State Department's push to cancel hundreds of contracts left behind a trail of mistakes, watchdog finds
Several government oversight reports have found that agencies made costly operational errors as they implemented the administration’s cost-cutting directives.
Workforce
These award-winning feds want to advance science for the public good — and challenge stereotypes about government work
The Arthur S. Flemming awards have been around for more than 75 years and generally recognize civil servants who work in scientific fields.
Updated
Management
Trump’s federal workforce overhaul faces a new Congress after Democratic wins
At least one federal employee who separated from the federal government since last year will serve in the House.
Workforce
‘Exit survey’ of former feds finds fears of civil service politicization under Trump — and many willing to return to their agencies
While the Office of Personnel Management has argued that most of the 2025 federal workforce separations were voluntary, academic researchers countered that many of the departing civil servants reported they felt forced into resigning.
Oversight
Musk is the target of a new Democratic bill to curtail political donations from federal contractors
While government contracting companies are already barred from making campaign contributions, a new measure would extend that prohibition to the corporations’ leaders.
Workforce
The census shows what government does well — and what political interference could break, author argues
A university researcher who embedded in the Census Bureau ahead of the 2020 national headcount warns in a new book that President Donald Trump’s federal workforce reforms, paired with decades of “Jenga politics,” could put the next census at risk.
Oversight
‘Life-and-death implications’: Former IG warns ICE’s detention oversight is masking unsafe conditions
An analysis by the Project on Government Oversight found that the number of immigration detention facilities receiving a “superior” rating increased at the same time as the number of individuals dying in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody also surged.
Featured eBooks
Workforce
OPM touts ‘hire-palooza’ event for early-career employees
A good government group criticized the Office of Personnel Management for providing limited information about the virtual hiring fair, which is restricted to individuals who are already in the federal hiring process.
Updated
Management
SBA is moving field offices away from major cities, union says
The Small Business Administration previously said that it would relocate offices out of certain cities due to disagreements about federal immigration enforcement.
Workforce
The legal fight over the public service student loan forgiveness overhaul may be over
Two different federal judges in June ruled that the Education Department’s changes to the program were unlawful. On Wednesday, the Trump administration dropped its appeals.
Updated
Management
These former feds could be members of Congress next year
Most of these candidates face long odds of winning or are in tight races.
Oversight
Instagram, comic books and public engagement: One watchdog’s plan to protect inspector general independence
Lucy Lang, the inspector general for New York state, argued in an interview with Government Executive that IGs should prioritize improving the public’s trust in government — both through investigations and making sure citizens know that oversight is happening.
Oversight
Oversight of nuclear material security cut back due to civil service reductions, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office also reported that the National Nuclear Security Administration has more than lost its recent hiring gains.
Oversight
Trump’s IG pick at the VA is ‘watering down’ oversight, some employees allege
As the Veterans Affairs inspector general faces mounting workforce challenges, some employees and former watchdogs raise questions about the office's trajectory.
Featured eBooks
Updated
Oversight
HUD’s staffing cuts hurt certain housing services, watchdog finds
Housing organizations told the Government Accountability Office that they now face more obstacles getting in touch with department employees in a timely manner.
Management
Trump quietly hired political appointees under a new job classification, good government group reports
While Schedule G is not officially set up in regulation, the Office of Personnel Management emphasized that the position category for political appointees was established by executive order and that the agency issued implementing guidance.
Oversight
Labor has mostly stopped checking whether federal contractors are following disability rules
A watchdog found that the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has no plans to restart routine audits, leaving less oversight of protections for workers with disabilities.
Management
8 midterm races for federal employees to watch
Several high-profile races, including Senate elections in Maine, Georgia and Texas, could impact civil servants.
Workforce
Some former federal employees are still struggling to find the right fit
Workforce officials and lawmakers say some of the employees pushed out of government last year are still struggling to find work that matches their skills.
Workforce
Using holiday lights to inform hurricane recovery? Award honors ‘seemingly odd’ federally funded research that brings about groundbreaking discoveries
The Trump administration has sought to upend federal support for scientific research, including through budget cuts and granting political appointees more control over the grantmaking process.
