People
Official who safeguards whistleblowers drops lawsuit protesting his firing by Trump
An appeals court had allowed the Trump administration to remove Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger while it heard his case.
Ideas
How 18F transformed government technology − and why its elimination matters
18F was a group of technology hotshots within the GSA.
Policy
Social Security bans news access on government equipment
Employees were told Monday that “general news” will be blocked.
Emerging Tech
Democrats move to defend CHIPS following Trump’s calls for its removal
Following President Trump’s congressional address lambasting the landmark Biden administration bill, Democrats sounded off on Monday in its defense.
Cybersecurity
Former intelligence officials denounce job cuts to federal cyber roles
In testimony before a House panel, they said the moves — which have largely affected the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — are harmful to national security.
Cybersecurity
US charges 12 Chinese nationals for hacks into government systems
Some of the people have ties to i-Soon, the Chinese tech firm whose hacking-for-hire activities were exposed in a leak last year. Others are linked to Silk Typhoon, a hacking unit that recently breached the Treasury Department.
Exclusive
People
VA plans to lay off as many as 83,000 employees this year
A leaked memo released Tuesday called for VA to slash its workforce to 2019 levels that were in place before millions of veterans became newly eligible for care.
People
GOP lawmaker calls for VA to ‘guarantee’ only underperformers are targeted in workforce layoffs
Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins asking him to review the department’s workforce reduction process and consider reinstating laid-off personnel.
People
FTC removes around a dozen staff
Employees across the Federal Trade Commission’s offices were notified of the firings on Friday.
Digital Government
Login.gov is key to administration anti-fraud efforts, GSA official says
Early in the administration, some in Trump’s orbit had called for the single-sign on and identity proofing service to be gutted.
People
NIST fires over 70 probationary employees
Terminations also occurred at the National Technical Information Service, despite the California court ruling that the government's personnel agency doesn't have the authority to order firings.
Policy
GSA lease terminations hit GAO offices doing national security work
Some of the terminated leases include buildings with spaces designed to exchange classified information on defense programs.
Acquisition
VA targets 585 ‘non-mission critical’ contracts for elimination
The Veterans Affairs Department claims $900 million in savings and that the cuts will not impact health care, benefits or services.
Policy
Trade group urges Commerce secretary to support the work of subagencies
The Business Software Alliance said international alliances, export control regimes and standards harmonization efforts can all support the Department of Commerce’s advancement of U.S. tech.
Defense
Weeks after CISO announcement, Katie Arrington moves into DOD CIO role
A defense official said that Arrington, who was previously accused of disclosing classified data, does not concurrently have the role of DOD CISO.
People
Many federal employees ordered to submit recent accomplishments for second Musk email
Government workers have been instructed not to include classified or sensitive information in their responses.
People
NOAA terminates space, climate and marine life advisory committees
Experts caution the groups play a key role in ensuring agencies use the best available science in their decision making.
Cybersecurity
Hegseth orders suspension of cyber, information operations planning against Russia
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that new U.S. foreign policy configurations “largely coincides with our vision.”
People
NSF begins reinstating probationary employees
Following the federal court ruling, the Office of Personnel Management told agencies to begin the reinstatement of unlawfully terminated probationary employees.
People