Author Archive

Eric Katz

Senior Correspondent

Eric Katz
Eric Katz writes about federal agency operations and management. His deep coverage of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Postal Service has earned him frequent guest spots on national radio and television news programs. Eric joined Government Executive in the summer of 2012 and previously worked for The Financial Times. He is a graduate of The George Washington University.
People

State Department lays off 1,350 employees

The department says the cuts, part of a reorganization that will see 3,000 total personnel reductions, will slash redundancy and walk back growth over the last 25 years.

People

Judge says she’s not done with RIF case just yet

After Supreme Court lifts injunction, lower court moves to examine legality of individual agency layoff plans

Breaking News People

Federal agencies can resume mass layoffs, Supreme Court rules

Many agencies across government are expected to swiftly implement workforce cuts.

Breaking News People

VA backs down on mass layoffs, will cut 30K through attrition only

Following significant pushback, VA is reversing course on its plan for widespread RIFs while still promising some staffing reductions.

Digital Government

Mass layoffs likely to remain blocked, for now, thanks to a Supreme Court footnote

The Trump administration is cheering a SCOTUS ruling and its impact on the federal workforce, but attorneys on a key reduction-in-force case say its impact on feds is currently limited.

People

State Dept. further prepares for mass layoffs even as court block remains

A judge specified last month that State, like most major agencies, cannot yet move forward with RIFs.

Modernization

Workforce cuts could complicate IRS goal to modernize in the next two years

Agency leaders say they want to complete the “vast majority” of its modernization efforts within the next couple of years.

People

Trump is planning to slash 107,000 federal jobs next year. See where

New details in the president's budget detail some of the proposed workforce reductions, though the final cuts will likely be steeper.

People

Here's where the State Department is planning its layoffs and changes

Various national security offices, as well as units that cover Asia and the Middle East, will be consolidated or slashed. Thousands of employees across divisions are targeted for cuts.

People

Most major agencies are now indefinitely barred from issuing mass layoffs

The Trump administration's plans to reorganize agencies are "likely unconstitutional," judge says.

People

Judge says she is inclined to further pause layoffs at most major agencies

RIF plans have been frozen for two weeks, but federal court suggests they are unconstitutional and implementation will remain prohibited indefinitely.

People

Most major agencies must pause RIFs for at least two weeks, judge orders

Court finds the Trump administration has likely acted unlawfully in instituting widespread layoffs.

Exclusive People

State Dept. cuts poised to be more severe than previously outlined with 3,400 employees on the chopping block

There were bipartisan concerns from lawmakers about a planned break-up of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, according to meeting notes. Office eliminations are expected by June 2.

Exclusive People

Thousands of layoffs to hit Interior, National Parks imminently

Employees fear diminished capacity after RIFs are tacked on to existing mass exodus.

People

IRS reverses staffing gains made under Biden

The tax agency has shed over 20,000 employees through the deferred resignation program, and more significant cuts are still expected.

People

Some DHS employees told to send selfies to prove they are in-office as department suddenly ends remote work

Employees are not being promised a place to work, but must report to any nearby office and ask if there is space for them.

Policy

Justice Dept. rescinds rules safeguarding media from government seizures

The rules, first issued under former Attorney General Merrick Garland, gave members of the press protections from legal mechanisms to obtain sensitive data linked to their reporting.

Exclusive People

Treasury eliminates offices and outsources work, with more layoffs coming

Initial cuts were focused on employees who provide U.S. Treasury bond-related retail services to investors.

Breaking News People

SCOTUS: Trump can temporarily move forward with mass firing of some probationary employees

The Supreme Court's ruling applies to 16,000 recently reinstated feds, but some of those are still protected by another court decision.