Cybersecurity
Democrats worry over Trump funding priorities for CISA’s disinfo efforts
President Donald Trump’s nominee to run DHS wants the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to be smaller and stay out of monitoring disinfo.
Exclusive
People
U.S. Digital Service employees are being re-interviewed under DOGE transition
Some employees who were in the U.S. Digital Service already when it became part of the DOGE fear the interviews are an assessment of their loyalty.
Emerging Tech
TSA’s facial recognition tech is highly accurate, review says
A DHS analysis found that self-identified Black volunteers who participated in testing of TSA’s biometric tools had the lowest face matching success rate of any demographic group, with an overall accuracy of 98%.
Emerging Tech
Industry group calls on Trump to appoint a quantum czar
A letter sent to President Donald Trump also called for a reauthorization of 2018’s National Quantum Initiative Act.
People
Trump axes Democrats on intelligence and privacy oversight board
The removals come as Congress is set to decide next year whether to renew a controversial surveillance authority that’s been scrutinized by the board.
Artificial Intelligence
Industry launches $100B AI-infrastructure effort to keep ahead of China
Oracle, OpenAI focus on data centers as AI race begins to turn on computing power instead of math.
People
Trump administration to lay off all federal employees in DEI offices
The president has called on federal agencies to immediately cease all DEI-related activities.
People
Trump’s VA pick voices support for continued EHR deployment
Former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., said “there's no reason in the world” why VA cannot successfully deploy its beleaguered Oracle Cerner electronic health record system.
Cybersecurity
DHS cyber review board cleaned out in Trump move to eliminate ‘misuse of resources’
The board was actively investigating a Chinese hack into telecommunications systems.
Updated
People
Trump: Agencies should fire 'all' bureaucrats
Atop the president’s anticipated actions this week are executive orders moving to reinstate Schedule F, reduce unions’ bargaining rights and broad rollbacks of telework at federal agencies.
People
OPM’s new CIO replaced on second day of Trump administration
Greg Hogan will serve as the new CIO for the personnel agency, following Melvin Brown II’s one-week stint in the role.
People
Tracking Trump’s national-security conflicts of interest
Experts say the businessman-turned-president has even more entanglements this time around.
Digital Government
Trump signs order setting up DOGE with a focus on government tech
Trump is wielding — and renaming — the US Digital Service in service of the DOGE.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump axes Biden’s AI executive order
President Donald Trump vowed to repeal the order during campaigning and in his presidential platform.
People
2 CIOs elevated to acting agency heads as Trump takes office
The tech leaders at USDA and USAID will head their agencies in an acting capacity until the Senate confirms Trump’s nominees for the permanent roles.
Emerging Tech
Trump, Musk set sights on Mars
NASA is still developing technologies necessary to send humans to Mars.
People
TSA head who oversaw pipeline cyber rules pushed out by Trump
The TSA under David Pekoske oversaw sweeping pipeline and rail cybersecurity directives as part of a broader Biden-era push to bolster U.S. cyber posture. It’s unclear why he was asked to leave.
People
What Trump’s inaugural address means for federal employees
Many of Trump’s expected Day 1 executive orders will impact government workers.
People
Trump to again freeze federal hiring
The new president will allow some exceptions, but says the freeze is necessary to root out "useless and overpaid" activists from federal rolls.
People