Digital Government
DOGE enters NOAA, accesses IT systems and removes the top HR official
The Musk-led team is rooting out DEI and, some lawmakers fear, may have an eye toward grander aims at the agency.
Digital Government
Sources: VA’s new EHR is not accessibility compliant
A VA official told Nextgov/FCW that, at the facilities where VA’s new electronic health record has been deployed, “veterans with disabilities cannot access their own records because the patient portal is inaccessible to them.”
Cybersecurity
In reversal, CISA workforce now permitted to take deferred resignation offer
The move could enable the Trump administration to reduce the size and scope of the cyber agency.
Cybersecurity
OPM asks to dismiss email server lawsuit, citing misinterpretation of law
The agency notably released a privacy impact assessment for the dubious email server used to mass-message federal employees about a deferred resignation offer on the same day as the legal dismissal request.
Policy
DIA, NGA among growing number of intel agencies offering buyouts
The intelligence community workforce has been given an offer to leave their jobs early in exchange for pay until September, similar to a proposal extended to civilian agencies.
People
Musk’s DOGE efforts pose a ‘constitutional crisis,’ experts warn
Elon Musk has spent the first two weeks of the Trump administration parachuting into government offices, leaving extensive — and some say legally prohibited — changes in his wake.
Digital Government
Musk's role as ‘special government employee’ raises ethics questions
The SpaceX founder and CEO's moves across federal agencies break with tradition and could result in legal action.
Updated
Digital Government
Agencies ramp up pressure on their workers to quit
New guidance continues to defend its deferred resignation program as legal, though it fails to address its apparent violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act.
People
Trump administration opens the door to politicize government tech executives
“This sounds like another method of censorship and control of the federal career workforce,” one former government tech executive said of a Tuesday memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management.
Defense
DHS personnel descend on New Orleans to help secure Super Bowl LIX
CISA has already conducted physical and cybersecurity vulnerability assessments ahead of the Feb. 9 NFL championship game.
People
OPM claims agencies can ignore union telework contracts
A new memo instructing agencies to cease enforcing union-negotiated telework policies under the guise of “management rights” could portend future assaults on collective bargaining.
Digital Government
Unions sue Treasury over DOGE access to payment systems
Anonymous plaintiffs also called for a temporary restraining order Tuesday to prevent OPM from using a newly installed email system to mass-message federal employees.
Cybersecurity
Trump’s anti-DEI efforts damage national security, former officials say
The rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives weakens intelligence operations, erodes workforce morale and limits the U.S. government’s ability to navigate global threats, former national security officials argue.
Digital Government
Musk takes aim at GSA tech shop
Elon Musk posted on X that the 18F team behind the IRS Direct File program has been “deleted,” though one staffer told Nextgov/FCW they were still able to work at the time of publication.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS must do more to appropriately govern AI, watchdog finds
An oversight report from DHS's OIG noted the agency's many big steps in AI governance, but added specific areas that need to be updated to advance safe federal uses of the tools.
Artificial Intelligence
GOP lawmakers push for DHS innovation arm to secure sensitive data
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate would be required to develop a process for safeguarding the information in its research and development projects.
Artificial Intelligence
Nuclear Regulatory Commission to examine more nuanced requirements for AI
A regulatory gap analysis said the NRC’s current federal regulations “are fairly flexible enough to adapt to artificial intelligence,” according to a data scientist with the agency.
People
Karen Evans joins CISA as a senior advisor
Evans is a former DHS CIO and Energy Department cybersecurity official who's had a long career contributing to the U.S. cyber and technology landscape.
People
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."
Modernization