Exclusive
Policy
Some Army civilians worked during the shutdown—and were told to say they didn’t
What started as confusion became a coverup, employees and emails say.
Policy
Partial shutdown ends less than four days after it began
Negotiations continue over Homeland Security funding, but DOD and every other federal agency are now funded through September.
Policy
White House initiates shutdown process as Congress hopes to keep duration minimal
Impacted employees will soon receive furlough notices, though they could still avoid missing any time.
Updated
Policy
Shutdown deal struck after failed Senate vote
Senate Democrats and the White House reached an agreement late Thursday to fund most departments and agencies through Sept. 30 after a previous funding bill was blocked.
Threats
Border Patrol agents kill VA nurse during protest
He was the third person shot recently by federal officers in Minnesota, where the Trump administration says they are conducting national-security operations.
Policy
Shutdown odds plummet after House and Senate strike bipartisan deal on 2026 funding bills
If the full Congress approves, the Defense Department would get $838.7 billion, a sub-1% increase.
Policy
Senate moves on shutdown deal that would fund DOD by CR until Jan. 30
Deal would also ensure administration follows law ensuring backpay. Next up: more procedural moves to send it to the House.
Policy
‘We’re closer to the end': Lawmakers signal some progress in bipartisan talks to end shutdown
The funding lapse is set to reach record levels but senators in both parties voice mild hope of progress.
Threats
Defense civilians, other feds abroad fret about making rent during shutdown
Some employees say their foreign landlords have little sympathy for their “U.S. issue.”
Policy
OMB quietly deletes reference to law requiring back pay to furloughed feds
A White House FAQ now says restitution is only guaranteed to excepted employees forced to work without pay.
Policy
More employees set to receive furlough notices as shutdown drags on
DOD has not said how long nonexempt civilian employees might be kept working.
Policy
Shutdown poised to drag into next week as layoff threat looms
Senate once again fails to approve spending bill and the two sides remain far divided.
Threats
As government spirals toward a shutdown, Trump promises mass layoffs
A last-ditch effort to keep government funded failed Tuesday night. Agencies will begin furloughing staff on Wednesday.
Policy
Agencies should prep for mass layoffs if shutdown occurs, White House says
OMB is requesting updated reduction-in-force plans even if a shutdown is averted.
Policy
Judge says Trump's mass-probationary firings were illegal, but he won't order re-hirings
But agencies must still send an exculpatory letter to some 25,000 illegally fired employees.
Policy
Report: Federal agencies have deployed nearly 33,000 employees to assist ICE
Only around 15% of employees working on immigration enforcement are full-time immigration enforcement staff.
Policy
Shortly after laying off hundreds, State hires new class of foreign service staff
The firing-hiring combo is "the definition of wasteful government spending,” according to one staffer.
Exclusive
Policy
Trump freezes most training for non-ICE federal law enforcement
The freeze, which will last through year's end, affects military police, inspectors general offices, and dozens of other agencies.
Policy
The State Department laid them off, then it promoted them
The message is "even excellence cannot protect your career," union says, as "fidelity" is added to promotion criteria.
Policy