Exclusive
Policy
SSA abandons planned disability program overhaul expected to cut benefits for thousands
Trump administration officials informed the co-founder of a nonprofit disability advocacy group that a proposed rule — which would have updated decades-old occupational data, in addition to changing eligibility considerations — will no longer be moving forward.
Artificial Intelligence
US and Saudi Arabia commit to new AI agreement
The memorandum allows Saudi Arabia to have access to U.S. tech systems, according to a White House fact sheet.
Cybersecurity
National cyber strategy coming ‘as quickly as possible,’ official says
“It’s going to be a short statement of intent and policy, and then it will be paired very quickly with action items and deliverables under that,” National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross explained.
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.
Artificial Intelligence
Anthropic CEO defends support for AI regulations, alignment with Trump policies
Following the White House AI and crypto czar’s critique of Anthropic’s regulatory perspective, the company’s CEO noted that it is committed to speaking honestly about AI’s risks and benefits.
Cybersecurity
Multiple CISA divisions targeted in shutdown layoffs, people familiar say
CISA units including its Stakeholder Engagement division are believed to have been hit. A DHS spokesperson said that the RIFs are meant to help get CISA “back on mission.”
Exclusive
People
On Tuesday, the Trump admin said furloughed feds were not guaranteed back pay. On Wednesday, it sent notices saying they were
Just one day after taking a different argument, the Trump administration notes federal law guarantees back pay for employees sent home during a shutdown.
People
Bisignano to lead IRS in addition to SSA duties, raising questions about the Senate confirmation process
Experts warned that the move could further facilitate the consolidation of Social Security and IRS databases for use in immigration enforcement.
People
White House: Shutdown layoffs are just days away
So far, just one agency has pursued RIFs while others have largely followed normal shutdown procedures.
Digital Government
Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'
It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.
People
Sides remain divided, White House predicts shutdown will occur on eve of funding lapse
Democratic leaders say “large differences” remain after meeting with President Trump.
Artificial Intelligence
White House seeks industry input as it crafts “anti-woke” AI guidelines
Critics have said that the July executive order on “woke” AI could chill free speech, despite the administration’s stated focus on protecting it.
Emerging Tech
White House instructs agencies to prioritize emerging tech and ‘Gold Standard Science’
The memorandum for fiscal year 2027 science and technology outlines research priority areas, with a concerted effort to move away from diversity, equity and inclusion-based initiatives.
Emerging Tech
White House in process of crafting quantum executive action
The Trump administration has been quietly working on developing a series of new policy items for quantum technology.
Artificial Intelligence
From pull-ups to prompting: The Presidential AI Challenge seeks to inspire the next generation
The brand new initiative is designed to get students and educators thinking about how artificial intelligence can be used to solve real-world problems in their communities.
People
Democrats launch ethics investigation into AI and crypto czar David Sacks
Sacks’ role as a special government employee limits him to a 130-day period of service within a single year.
Artificial Intelligence
US-UK tech partnership likely to be signed Thursday
President Donald Trump’s U.K. state visit will solidify the landmark tech deal that works to support both nations' technology innovation.
Cybersecurity
US can focus on both offensive and defensive cyber, top NSC official says
Offensive measures are “an important tool of the toolbox that we’ll be unafraid to use,” Alexei Bulazel said. “But that’s not to say we don’t need to do normal blocking-and-tackling cyber defense.”
Cybersecurity
White House cyber office calls for ‘whole of nation’ effort to deter nation-state hackers
Newly-confirmed ONCD director Sean Cairncross wants to work with the private sector to develop a toolkit for stopping foreign hackers and boosting U.S. cyberdefenses.
Artificial Intelligence