Digital Government
OPM’s new email system sparks questions about cyber compliance
Until very recently, the Office of Personnel Management lacked the capability to send mass emails to all federal employees, a person familiar said, fueling concerns that the agency bypassed procurement rules.
People
New Schedule F guidance shows the Trump White House is rearing for a fight
Trump administration officials elected to bypass the regulatory process to rescind Biden-era rules aimed at barring Schedule F’s revival, setting up a bigger fight over the president's authority.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI debuts ChatGPT Gov for federal agency use
The new chatbot brings the same capabilities from the public model to government-approved and secure cloud environments for federal workloads.
People
Musk visits OPM following workforce assignments for DOGE
Amanda Scales, a former employee of Elon Musk’s AI company, was recently tapped to be the chief of staff at OPM.
Artificial Intelligence
Report: agencies’ adoption of GenAI depends on safe and ethical principles
Governments need to adhere to ethical AI principles and comply with regulatory guidance to effectively use GenAI capabilities, according to a recent IBM report.
People
Gregory Barbaccia named federal CIO
The Palantir alum has also served in the Army and as an intelligence analyst.
People
Senate confirms Kristi Noem to head Trump’s DHS
Noem is likely to direct a reevaluation of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s spending priorities, amid GOP accusations that the agency censored conservative views online.
People
Trump fires multiple agency inspectors general
At least a dozen were removed, including the IGs for the departments of Defense, State, and Energy, the Washington Post reported.
People
VA wants hiring freeze exemptions for 300,000 roles
The acting Veterans Affairs secretary said in a Jan. 21 memo that the requested exemptions cover positions critical to the delivery of health care services.
Emerging Tech
The coolest — and arguably most useful — new technology at CES 2025
You might even find a few things that could make their way into government service.
People
GSA announces new FAS, TTS leadership
The new leaders are interested in working with Elon Musk’s DOGE.
People
Ousted career execs at DOJ are considering options after being given vague rationale for firings
The dismissals came just hours after Trump's inauguration and raises questions of the president's legal authorities.
Acquisition
Contractors face greater scrutiny from anti-DEI executive orders
President Trump’s actions come with enforcement provisions that encourage employees to report on their companies.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump signs AI executive order
The order calls for the development of an AI action plan and sets up a process for revoking actions taken under President Biden’s previous AI executive order signed in October 2023.
People
Senate confirms John Ratcliffe to lead CIA
Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence in the final months of Trump’s first term, drew controversy over perceived politicization of intelligence assessments.
Modernization
HHS pause on external comms delaying upcoming health summits
Two planned events have been indefinitely postponed as a result of the Trump administration’s freeze on HHS-related mass communications and public appearances.
Ideas
Mobile solutions are here to stay, here’s how agencies can optimize device management
Holistic mobility solutions have major advantages.
People
OPM demands agencies comply with Trump’s telework order within 30 days
The State Department has already begun to implement the president’s memo cancelling telework agreements as of March 1 and remote work arrangements July 1, with exceptions for military spouses and employees with disabilities.
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