Leadership
Trump’s DHS pick says CISA is ‘far off-mission’ and should be smaller
Current South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem wants CISA to be “refocused” on critical infrastructure and to no longer address mis- or disinformation efforts online.
Trump’s pick for OMB chief defends removing civil service protections, withholding appropriated funds
Russ Vought laments "weaponized bureaucracies" as he draws bipartisan criticism for declining to commit to following spending laws.
Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.
Trump taps IBM’s Darío Gil for Energy’s undersecretary for science and innovation
Gil previously served on Trump’s President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology under his first administration.
Trump pick for CIA chief pledges to remain apolitical amid past controversies
John Ratcliffe was questioned over whether he’d remain an impartial national security official after past incidents as Trump’s former director of national intelligence.
‘I know what I don’t know,’ SecDef pick says at confirmation hearing
Hegseth faced questions about his inexperience and fitness as a leader.
OPM promotes deputy CIO to top tech role
He’ll succeed the recently retired Guy Cavallo in the role.
Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE
The new Department of Government Efficiency — which, despite the “department” referenced in its name, is an advisory effort, not a government department — has aims to trim the federal workforce and hunt efficiencies in tech and fraud reduction efforts.
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AI startup Anthropic to build out public sector team
Thiyagu Ramasamy, formerly of Amazon Web Services, will lead the effort.
US has ‘a lot of work to do’ on cyber defenses, departing cyber czar says
Outgoing National Cyber Director Harry Coker thinks his office needs more influence over the federal cyber budget but not necessarily more authority on offensive cyber operations.
OPM CIO announces retirement
Guy Cavallo is the agency’s longest serving CIO in the past decade.
Unemployment isn’t recession-ready — but it’s getting better, says acting Labor secretary
Julie Su, the acting Department of Labor secretary, has often been scrutinized for her role in California during the pandemic. She sat down with Nextgov/FCW to talk about unemployment four years later.
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Trump announces more tech policy team members
President-elect Donald Trump tapped four people — some returning to the White House after serving in his first administration — to serve on his technology policy team.
Intelligence CIO moves to helm IT at the National Institutes of Health
Adele Merritt, who served as CIO for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence since January 2022, took over as the NIH CIO on Dec. 16.
‘Extraordinarily dangerous’: Intelligence community insiders warn against Trump’s DNI pick
Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has a “history of irresponsibly promoting misinformation,” said one official.
USDS looks for new deputy to lead as Trump administration approaches
Mina Hsiang, current administrator of the U.S. Digital Service, is expected to leave before the Trump administration takes the helm.
How the federal CIO is prepping for the presidential transition
Cybersecurity, customer experience and effective transition efforts have been top-of-mind for Clare Matorana in the last days of the Biden administration.
CISA Director Jen Easterly to depart on Inauguration Day
Easterly and Deputy Director Nitin Natarajan are set to leave as an administration change casts doubt on the agency’s future.
Trump taps Fox host Pete Hegseth to be defense secretary
The combat veteran and “anti-woke” crusader lacks senior military or national-security experience.
TTS director Ann Lewis to depart
Lewis focused on modernization and artificial intelligence solutions during her tenure.
