People
3 senior leaders quit after CDC director is ousted
After officials said Susan Monarez was no longer director, its chief medical officer and two high-ranking disease experts resigned, citing budget cuts and politicization.
People
NIH CIO Adele Merritt departs for DOD-affiliated research role
Meritt’s exit comes after serving in the role for just over eight months.
Exclusive
People
Meet the Trump appointee apparently maintaining 'unheard of' ties to Tesla
Thomas Shedd, who heads the Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration, reported on his public financial disclosures that he is “on a leave of absence” from Tesla in a rare arrangement, according to experts.
People
Airbnb co-founder and DOGE associate to head new federal design office
Joe Gebbia has been working on modernizing retirement processes at the Office of Personnel Management as part of his work with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Exclusive
Artificial Intelligence
Trump administration hopes AI can mitigate staffing losses, federal CIO says
Gregory Barbaccia, who was named the federal chief information officer just a week into the new administration, said one of his priorities is learning how to do more with less.
Cybersecurity
Federal CISO urges cyber community to start sharing and scaling their solutions
The Trump administration wants to ease regulatory burdens on the cyber industry with a mindset where there is still room for policymaking. It largely begins with the private sector.
People
Thomas Shedd departs as Labor CIO
The longtime Tesla engineer appears to still be working at the General Services Administration, according to two employees, even as he leaves his post at the Labor Department.
People
‘Processes, people and products’: Transportation’s CIO sets new vision for the agency
In a recent interview, DOT CIO Pavan Pidugu outlined his vision for the department, its early relationship with DOGE, reducing acquisition timelines and his advice for the government contracting industry.
People
Army rescinds West Point role for ex‑CISA director after pressure from Laura Loomer
Jen Easterly was one of the top cybersecurity officials that served in the Biden administration and is a West Point alumna.
People
Senate panel advances CISA director nominee to full Senate floor vote
Sean Plankey may still have to contend with a hold from Senator Ron Wyden over objections to the cyber defense agency not releasing a 2022 report on telecommunications industry vulnerabilities. The agency said it plans to release it.
People
NSA general counsel removed as Laura Loomer cites involvement
The firing of April Falcon Doss is the latest NSA departure fueled by the far-right activist, who previously took credit for the firing of the spy agency’s director.
Cybersecurity
CISA to release telecom security report as its director nominee nears confirmation
The 2022 report, which has not been made publicly available, has been used as leverage by Senator Ron Wyden to hold Sean Plankey from being confirmed as director of CISA.
Cybersecurity
Basic cybersecurity lapses are leaving US infrastructure exposed, top experts warn
To make U.S. networks more “toxic” to adversaries, “we need to have an ability for authentication to have some meaning,” former NSA director Gen. Paul Nakasone said.
People
OMB wants to break down barriers for CIOs, White House official says
Republicans also included a line in their funding bill to reiterate that CIOs should be involved in agencies' tech budgets.
People
New OPM head plans to cement focus on efficiency
Scott Kupor said he won’t be taking orders from DOGE, though he’s “happy to partner with people” that are helpful to his overall goals for the agency.
People
State Department deputy Michael Rigas tapped as acting GSA head
Stephen Ehikian, who has served as the acting GSA administrator since Trump took office, will be staying on as deputy. Some in the agency speculate the change is due to DOGE fallout.
People
Trump’s CISA nominee to testify before Senate panel next week
Sean Plankey served at the Energy Department and National Security Council during Trump’s first term.
Digital Government
GSA plans to optimize operations following cost-cutting, agency head says
GSA’s acting head Stephen Ehikian said “phase two” of the agency’s approach will prioritize becoming “much more efficient, much more effective and [with] much more of an eye towards our stakeholders, which is the American taxpayer.”
People
Trump nominates Ryan Cote to serve as VA’s new IT chief
Cote previously served as the Department of Transportation’s CIO for two years during the first Trump administration.
People