Emerging Tech
DOGE to work with USPS to find efficiencies, DeJoy says
The mailing agency will work with GSA and the group led by Elon Musk, who has called for Postal Service privatization.
Exclusive
Modernization
SSA weighs axing payments to 170,000 beneficiaries
The move to cease making payments to people without Social Security numbers would imperil the benefits of thousands of immigrants’ children with disabilities.
Cybersecurity
Elon Musk paid a visit to NSA, Cyber Command amid DOGE-led overhauls
Musk’s trip to the signals intelligence office and combatant command is the first recorded instance of him visiting an intelligence agency since President Trump assumed office.
Breaking News
People
DHS taps Antoine McCord for top tech post
McCord is a former Marine and is excited about the use of AI in the agency, people familiar say.
Updated
Digital Government
Judge orders reinstatement for most fired probationary federal workers
The firings were "based on a lie," judge says, who suggests he may extend his order beyond the roughly 24,000 already included.
People
Energy appoints Twitter, Google and DOGE alum as new CIO
Ross Graber most recently supported the nascent Department of Government Efficiency’s work at the State Department, a State Department official told Nextgov/FCW.
Acquisition
Trump’s ‘pincer maneuver’ reshapes federal contracting landscape
Contractors are under more pressure than before to justify value and embrace innovation as the DOGE seeks radical efficiencies through cuts and process reforms.
Updated
Digital Government
Shrinking tech team endangers a nationwide disease tracking system at CDC
The CDC was in the middle of updating a public health surveillance system when the Trump administration started shedding workers. What happens next could exemplify the impact to key government programs and systems when tech teams are cut.
Policy
Judge orders DOGE to comply with FOIA requests
Trump officials have argued that records from the government efficiency initiative fall under the Presidential Records Act, which can temporarily shield information from public scrutiny.
People
Lawsuit outlines how DOGE pushed for access to Social Security systems and data
Democracy Forward and unions are asking courts to block DOGE’s access to the troves of personal data held at the agency.
People
Agency guidance on ‘five accomplishments’ email still inconsistent
Bureaus inside DHS are still reviewing past submissions from staff and have instructed their workers to hold off on sending more updates.
Cybersecurity
OPM watchdog to investigate IT risks tied to DOGE’s agency access
The agency’s deputy inspector general began “an engagement to assess risks associated with new and modified information systems at OPM,” a letter to lawmakers says.
Defense
‘5 bullet points’ email now a weekly task for Pentagon civilians
A short explanation of recent achievements is due every Tuesday, SecDef says in additional guidance.
People
GSA continues slow drip of RIFs, nearly wiping out entire offices
More cuts are coming. Staff in the Technology Transformation Services were told Thursday that their team will be cut by 50%.
Ideas
The beating heart of small business: An ominous threat grows louder
Small businesses are suffering under contract cuts driven by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, writes Lisa Shea Mundt of the Pulse of GovCon.
Digital Government
Trump administration moves to politicize top HR officials following firing at IRS
Guidance from the Office of Personnel Management justified the decision by citing chief human capital officers’ role in implementing Biden-era diversity policies.
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.
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.
People