Exclusive
People
The Interior Department is taking steps to implement layoffs
After a series of delays, DOI is preparing RIF lists as it looks to implement significant personnel cuts in the coming weeks.
Digital Government
IRS announces the phased end of paper check refunds
The Trump White House set a Sept. 30 deadline for the Treasury Department to stop cutting paper checks, although the IRS said it will still be issuing a “limited number” of checks where there is no alternative option.
Artificial Intelligence
OPM adds OpenAI to its employees’ computers
The government’s personnel agency is taking advantage of the General Services Administration’s OneGov deal with OpenAI.
Artificial Intelligence
State Department hopes to use agentic AI to assist employee tasks, CIO says
That kind of autonomous action would go beyond the current capabilities of the agency’s AI chatbot, StateChat.
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.
Modernization
DOGE caucus co-chair says the cost-cutting unit’s work will continue
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said he is focused on using data to weed out fraud across the government.
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.
Digital Government
Senate Finance Chair wants details from SSA following whistleblower allegations of data endangerment
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, says he has reviewed information from SSA’s former chief data officer alleging that DOGE put sensitive agency information at risk. Now he wants information from the agency itself.
Exclusive
Modernization
Stephen Ehikian says GSA is primed for a ‘build back’ phase after his departure
The former acting head of GSA is now working at enterprise AI company C3 AI, which sees growing opportunity for federal, state and local business.
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.
People
GSA deputy Stephen Ehikian to depart post
Ehikian — who, until recently, served as GSA’s acting administrator — is the latest day one Trump appointee to leave the government.
Digital Government
Labor seeks to require confidential unemployment data from states
The Labor Department is considering creating a single, national claims database for unemployment compensation information.
Artificial Intelligence
How a national lab is using data and AI to try to speed up permitting
The work to get better environmental permitting data began under Biden and is continuing under Trump.
People
Transportation launches administrative consolidation effort
Whether the push to consolidate IT and HR systems will include layoffs isn’t yet clear.
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.
Breaking News
People
IRS is canceling its layoff plans, will ask some it fired or pushed out to return
After pushing 26,000 employees out, the tax agency is scrambling to find enough personnel to carry out its duties.
Digital Government
Trump signs order calling for improved government design
The new “America by Design” effort includes a recruiting push for relevant talent — though the administration has shed many government designers since Trump took office.
Digital Government