Author Archive
Eric Katz
Senior Correspondent

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.
Breaking News
Policy
Judge orders DOD, other agencies to rehire fired probationary workers
The firings were "based on a lie," judge says, who suggests he may extend his order beyond the roughly 24,000 already included.
- Eric Katz
Threats
The D Brief: Ukraine’s intel quandary; Pentagon’s civilian firings; Speedier-software policy; Russia’s military horses; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston and Eric Katz
Policy
Judge orders Trump admin to rescind order to fire probationary employees
The Defense Department had planned to begin firing some 5,400 workers on Friday, court filings said.
- Eric Katz
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."
- Eric Katz and Meghann Myers
Policy
Trump orders agencies to plan widespread layoffs and reduce hiring
Troops are exempted, while "necessary" national-security workers can be exempted from bid to sharply shrink the government.
- Eric Katz and Natalie Alms
Policy
Feds shouldn't take ‘deferred resignation’ offer, warn employee groups, Democrats, experts
They say the purported severance package may lack a legal underpinning—and that Trump and Musk have been accused of reneging on promises to employees.
- Eric Katz and Erich Wagner
Policy
Trump administration to lay off all federal employees in DEI offices
The president has ordered federal agencies to immediately cease all DEI-related activities.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Acting chiefs named for national-security agencies
The new president has tapped career federal executives to serve until his own picks can be approved.
- Eric Katz and Sean Michael Newhouse
Policy
Trump will send troops to build barriers on the southern border, official says
After his swearing-in on Monday, the new president will declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, a staffer told reporters.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Congress averts shutdown with three-month stopgap at 11th hour
The Senate sent the bill to the president's desk after the deadline, but shutdown activities had ceased.
- Eric Katz
Policy
After delay, Trump opts for conventional FBI screenings of nominees, transition team
The president-elect's team had suggested skipping the background checks routinely used to protect secret and sensitive information.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Agreement clears Trump transition teams to meet with Defense, other departments
But president-elect and staff are still sidestepping FBI background checks, other customary requirements.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Federal agencies are ready for the transition. Trump hasn't done his part.
The GOP candidate's team hasn't listed staffers to receive clearances, produced an ethics pledge, or fulfilled other elements of the process intended to produce a secure and timely switch of administrations.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Unpacking Harris' record on defense civilians and workforce
The vice president has fought discriminatory pay practices, helped guide how the government uses AI, and championed public-sector unions.
- Eric Katz and Sean Michael Newhouse
Updated
Threats
How federal agencies are responding to the Trump assassination attempt
FBI, Secret Service, and others are deploying personnel in response to Saturday's shooting.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Biden threatens veto as GOP outlines proposed FY25 cuts
House Republicans propose cutting $700m from military construction, 12% of State and USAID funding, and more.
- Eric Katz
Policy
With one day until shutdown, House sends stopgap funding bill to Senate
The Senate hopes to act quickly on the bill and set up votes on full-year appropriations next week.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Congress barrels toward another stopgap as leaders tout ‘productive’ White House meeting
Leaders in both parties have committed to avoiding a shutdown, but major hurdles remain.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Senate inches toward another two-tiered stopgap spending bill
Facing a shutdown at the end of the week, Congress aims to push the deadlines into early March.
- Eric Katz
Policy
Congress averts shutdown with a 45-day stopgap funding bill
Lawmakers passed a bipartisan measure just hours before a funding lapse was set to furlough hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
- Eric Katz