Policy
Pentagon is placing probationary employees on leave in advance of mass firings
The terminations are expected within weeks under plans to fire nearly one-tenth of DOD’s 55,000 “probies.”
Policy
Pentagon freezes government credit cards in DOGE cost-savings push
All non-essential official travel reservations for civilians must be canceled, per a March 5 memo.
Threats
‘Extremely lean’ Space Force acquisition units brace for Trump’s workforce cuts
Civilian employees make up about a third of the five-year-old service’s personnel.
Policy
At least one Pentagon agency has begun firing probationary workers
The Defense Logistics Agency has begun dismissing its share of the Defense Department’s 5,400 targeted employees.
Policy
Comply with the next ‘what you did last week’ email, Hegseth tells Pentagon civilians
Defense Secretary’s memo aims to avoid a repeat of last weekend’s confusion and stress.
Ideas
Trump’s plan to slash the federal workforce isn’t the first, it’s just the worst
The triple-meat-cleaver approach to workforce “reform.”
Policy
As Defense preps for mass firings, Hegseth says a hiring freeze and more firings are coming
SecDef says a "reevaluation of our probationary workforce" will be followed by wider dismissal of "redundancies" and "underperformers."
Policy
Trump administration fires hundreds of nuclear-security employees, sources say
The National Nuclear Security Administration maintains the nuclear stockpile, counters terrorism, disposes of dangerous nuclear material, among other missions.
Policy
Ethics concerns surround Musk's dual role as defense CEO, federal employee
The SpaceX leader's DOGE work may violate criminal conflict-of-interest statutes, one ethics expert said.
Ideas
Trump’s tariffs fit a growing global trend of hardball migration diplomacy
Such diplomacy works both ways, but richer countries by and large have the upper hand.
Threats
Hegseth said he settled sexual assault accusation for $50,000
The 2020 settlement by Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon was revealed in response to Sen. Warren’s confirmation questions.
Policy
Pentagon, agencies must end telework, remote work in 30 days, OPM says
There are exceptions for military spouses and employees with disabilities in the policy, which DOGE leaders have touted as a way to shrink the federal civilian workforce.
Ideas
Trump wants a faster security clearance process, too
But can he avoid politicizing it? On Day One, he stripped clearances from people he doesn't like and created a temporary end-run for people he does.
Policy
Reported Trump ‘loyalty tests’ for national-security officials draw criticism
If career employees are removed from the National Security Council, they would return to their home agencies, but the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee has expressed concern.
Policy
Federal background-check overhaul is finally on track, DSCA says
Workers in national security-sensitive positions are now fully enrolled in continuous vetting.
Policy
What Trump’s win means for the federal workforce
The Republican former president has vowed to remake the civil service in his image with the reinstatement of Schedule F.
Policy
UN cyber pact would help autocrats crush dissent, US lawmakers warn
Senators say proposed agreement would reduce privacy, increase surveillance, and legitimize censorship.
Policy
‘Put them in trauma': A key MAGA leader’s plans for civil servants, troops, and more
Russell Vought’s plans track closely with Trump’s campaign rhetoric about using the military against domestic protesters, or what Trump has called the “enemy within.”
Threats
China's deepening telecoms hack sparks DHS probe
U.S. government officials and staff on both major presidential campaigns were targeted. One former intelligence official called the breaches “really concerning.”
Threats