People
Musk’s DOGE efforts pose a ‘constitutional crisis,’ experts warn
Elon Musk has spent the first two weeks of the Trump administration parachuting into government offices, leaving extensive — and some say legally prohibited — changes in his wake.
Digital Government
Musk's role as ‘special government employee’ raises ethics questions
The SpaceX founder and CEO's moves across federal agencies break with tradition and could result in legal action.
People
Trump administration opens the door to politicize government tech executives
“This sounds like another method of censorship and control of the federal career workforce,” one former government tech executive said of a Tuesday memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management.
Digital Government
Musk takes aim at GSA tech shop
Elon Musk posted on X that the 18F team behind the IRS Direct File program has been “deleted,” though one staffer told Nextgov/FCW they were still able to work at the time of publication.
Exclusive
People
As the Trump administration gathers names of recent hires, some are being asked to justify their jobs
New federal workers are the easiest to fire and the administration is gathering information on their names, backgrounds, roles and performance.
People
Musk visits and asserts growing influence at GSA
Musk has former employees installed at the government’s HR shop, and several have appeared at its acquisition, tech and real estate agency as well.
People
Musk visits OPM following workforce assignments for DOGE
Amanda Scales, a former employee of Elon Musk’s AI company, was recently tapped to be the chief of staff at OPM.
People
Gregory Barbaccia named federal CIO
The Palantir alum has also served in the Army and as an intelligence analyst.
People
GSA announces new FAS, TTS leadership
The new leaders are interested in working with Elon Musk’s DOGE.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump signs AI executive order
The order calls for the development of an AI action plan and sets up a process for revoking actions taken under President Biden’s previous AI executive order signed in October 2023.
Exclusive
People
U.S. Digital Service employees are being re-interviewed under DOGE transition
Some employees who were in the U.S. Digital Service already when it became part of the DOGE fear the interviews are an assessment of their loyalty.
People
OPM’s new CIO replaced on second day of Trump administration
Greg Hogan will serve as the new CIO for the personnel agency, following Melvin Brown II’s one-week stint in the role.
Digital Government
Trump signs order setting up DOGE with a focus on government tech
Trump is wielding — and renaming — the US Digital Service in service of the DOGE.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump axes Biden’s AI executive order
President Donald Trump vowed to repeal the order during campaigning and in his presidential platform.
People
GSA will ‘recommit’ to ‘founding purpose,’ says acting administrator
Stephen Ehikian, previously of Salesforce, has been tapped to serve as GSA’s acting administrator.
Digital Government
Trump’s Treasury pick pledges to keep IRS Direct File open this tax season
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, said that he would have to study the long-term future of the tool. Republicans on Capitol Hill, however, have panned Direct File.
Digital Government
OMB issues OPEN Government Data Act guidance 6 years after its signing
The law requires agency data to be open by default.
Policy
OMB releases last-minute data center guidance
The memo stems from a law included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Digital Government
‘Over half’ of federal websites got better in the past year, OMB official says
Metrics released by the Office of Management and Budget offer insight into how agencies are implementing the 21st Century IDEA Act.
Digital Government