People

Senate confirms Ethan Klein to be fifth US CTO

In a sweeping nominee package, Klein was confirmed alongside Kirsten Davies to be DOD CIO and Pedro Allende to be DHS Undersecretary for Science and Technology.

People

Trump formally taps Joshua Rudd to lead NSA, Cyber Command

The nomination marks a turning point for the electronic surveillance and hacking teams that have been without a permanent leader for eight months.

People

Exit interview: GAO’s Gene Dodaro talks impoundments, tenure and retirement priorities

The outgoing comptroller general reflects on leading the agency through national crises, building a skilled workforce and guiding federal oversight before his term ends Dec. 29.

Defense

Hegseth broke rules, DODIG concludes, even though he said Yemen strike details were ‘safe to declassify’

Inspector general’s Signalgate report arrives two months after SecDef alleged the office had been “weaponized.”

People

DHS, cyber industry mobilize to get CISA director nominee confirmed

“It’s a national security risk to not have him,” said a current U.S. official.

Digital Government

Login.gov director departs for the private sector

Whoever officially leads the government’s identity proofing service next could impact how millions of Americans interact with the government online.

People

Latest FEMA acting administrator steps down, with no permanent chief tapped by Trump

Current agency chief of staff Karen Evans will become the Trump administration's third acting head of the emergency management agency on Dec. 1.

People

Energy names its third permanent CIO since the start of Trump 2.0

Dawn Zimmer has had multiple stints this year as the department’s acting CIO.

People

A leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten NSA morale, operational strength

The signals intelligence giant has halted recruitment for its Legal Honors Program, two people familiar say, slowing inflow of top legal talent. Other long-term capabilities are at risk.

People

Top CISA official exits for TSA role amid recent cyber office reductions

Ryan Donaghy had served at CISA since 2016. It’s not clear if she was voluntarily moved to TSA or was given transfer orders.

Cybersecurity

Upcoming White House cyber strategy to seek more involvement with private sector

The Trump 2.0 cyber strategy is in development, National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said, though he did not elaborate on when it would be released.

People

GSA will be ‘multiplier for efficiency and modernization,’ nominee for administrator says

Edward Forst, President Trump’s nominee to lead the General Services Administration, testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Thursday.

People

How Trump’s OPM director wants to attract tech talent after months of workforce cuts

OPM Director Scott Kupor wants to bring on new feds with cutting edge skills, but the government’s recent flood of layoffs and resignations could complicate that effort. With a government shutdown ongoing, too, the administration is threatening more layoffs.

People

Connolly's successor, James Walkinshaw, looks to carry on his IT and workforce legacy

“A shutdown gives the Trump administration no new legal authority to fire federal workers or to conduct reductions in force,” Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., told Nextgov/FCW in response to the White House telling agencies to implement mass layoffs in the event of a funding lapse.

People

Agriculture taps DOGE associate as its tech lead, reassigning previous CIO

Sam Berry, who’s been at USDA for months as part of the Department of Government Efficiency, is the agency's new chief information officer.

People

Federal deputy CIO leaving government for private sector role

OMB did not respond to a request for comment about who will replace Drew Myklegard at the agency.

People

SSA announces leadership team light on government experience

The agency’s new leadership roster — announced alongside a reorganization plan sources say is short on details — is intended to bring a fresh perspective into SSA, its commissioner said. Critics argue they lack the expertise usually required of most agency leaders.

People

OPM tech lead Greg Hogan leaves post

The personnel agency’s handling of sensitive agency data — and who can access it — has been at the center of many lawsuits since the start of Trump 2.0.