People
Watchdog puts new numbers on the size of DOGE, but many details remain unknown as agencies refuse to turn over information
In a new report, the Government Accountability Office said it was unable to verify if all Department of Government Efficiency employees completed mandatory activities intended to avoid conflicts of interest.
OPM tells agencies to put tech recruiting at the center of staffing plans
The guidance from the government’s HR agency also set a governmentwide goal that at least 33% of external hires be early-career workers.
National Institutes of Health names Maureen Falvella as permanent CIO
She served as acting CIO for roughly 10 months before moving into the role officially.
Greg Barbaccia to return to Palantir after leaving government
The federal CIO’s departure comes after a turbulent period for the federal technology workforce where thousands of technologists left the government.
GSA official says veterans' preference in federal hiring is hampering tech recruiting
A government workforce expert told Government Executive that many hiring rules, including veterans’ preference, have become “procedural hurdles rather than achieving the intended outcome” because they haven’t been updated in decades.
U.S. Digital Corps graduates largest class of fellows yet
“This government has starved for talent,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said during graduation remarks.
Senate confirms Clayton as Trump’s next intelligence director
The former SEC chairman will replace acting intelligence chief Bill Pulte, whose brief tenure oversaw repeated personnel cuts to the nation’s top spy office.
Pulte announces 30% ODNI staff reduction hours before Clayton vote
The acting intelligence chief said a fifth and “near final” round of terminations was underway Tuesday but did not disclose how many employees were affected.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Featured eBooks
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.”
Exclusive
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.
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.
Transportation’s tech chief Pavan Pidugu to depart in September
He is the third federal tech lead confirmed to depart federal service this week.
Exclusive
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.
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.
Breaking News
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.”
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.
