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Despite firings, acting IG says it’s 'the best time to be in the inspector general community' due to focus on fraud

A panel of inspectors general at a government accounting conference also discussed challenges combating technologically advanced scams and performing more proactive oversight.

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OPM moves to implement long-awaited retirement fix for federal first responders

The First Responders Fair RETIRE Act, which ensures federal workers can stay on accelerated mandatory retirement schedules even if they transfer to another due to injury, was signed into law in 2022.

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NIST AI safety center lead departs

Chris Fall was appointed to helm the Center for AI Standards and Innovation in April and has been at the Commerce Department since December 2025.

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OPM shrinks its workforce by a third, seeks further staffing cuts

The agency is giving employees in its healthcare and insurance division another shot at opting into the deferred resignation program.

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Pentagon closes cyber apprenticeship applications early after receiving over 15,000

A Pentagon official told Nextgov/FCW that the agency is “rolling out additional apprenticeship positions over the next few weeks.”

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Cait Conley fears Trump’s cartel focus could create a national security blind spot

The NY-17 Democratic nominee questioned the administration’s planning for Iran and said she would seek a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, if elected.

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Trump’s intelligence pick pressed on 2020 election, defends handling of New York Times subpoenas

Jay Clayton faced Democratic criticism after repeatedly declining to say Joe Biden won in 2020 and standing by subpoenas issued by his Manhattan prosecutor’s office to four New York Times journalists.

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Transportation’s tech chief Pavan Pidugu to depart in September

He is the third federal tech lead confirmed to depart federal service this week.

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HUD CIO tapped to lead Interior tech shop, people familiar say

Eric Sidle has a background in the EV industry, having worked with firms like NIO and ChargePoint.

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Some disabled veterans say losing telework accommodations is making it harder for them to keep working at the VA

Employees with disabilities at several agencies have alleged that they’re being forced to return to the office, even though the Trump administration’s directive ending telework flexibility for the civil service exempted those with qualifying reasonable accommodations.

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Greg Barbaccia to leave federal CIO role at end of August

“Greg has done an excellent job as Federal CIO and Chief AI Officer,” an OMB spokesperson told Nextgov/FCW. “He will certainly be missed when his time here comes to an end.”

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Anthropic taps Teresa Carlson as public sector lead

A veteran of several major tech companies, Carlson will serve as Anthropic’s first Global Head of Public Sector.

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Interior CIO Paul McInerny exits position

Paul “Macca” McInerny, a former SpaceX engineer that aligned himself with DOGE’s efficiency push, left the department last week after just over a year in the role, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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Pentagon launches ‘War Force’ initiative to onboard tech talent

The new recruitment effort was started in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management and operates under that agency’s larger Tech Force program. 

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Lawmaker warns of administration’s ‘fetishization’ of Silicon Valley startups

Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., discussed his plans to scrutinize Trump-era contracting practices, revive federal IT oversight and push for AI policy.

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ODNI deputy director pushed out amid Pulte cuts

An estimated 15 to 20 individuals who were assigned to the Mission Integration directorate from other intelligence community components are believed to have returned to their respective agencies.

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Sean Gallagher selected as NASA CIO

Having served as acting chief information officer since January, Gallagher’s permanent appointment is “effective immediately,” the agency said.

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Pulte’s early ODNI cuts include dozens sent back to home agencies

Senate Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton said the acting director of national intelligence told him about 45 to 50 career officers are being returned to their home agencies, while a smaller number of front-office personnel are leaving federal service.

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Lawmakers warn acting DNI against using role for major workforce shakeups

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., cited concerns about reported ODNI staff cuts while Bill Pulte temporarily leads the intelligence community.

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VA redesignates LGBTQ+ care coordinators and limits further ‘gender-ideology’ services

VA gave officials 14 days to comply with a June 12 memo that calls for facilities to take additional steps in response to previous executive orders on gender and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.