Author Archive

Eric Katz

Senior Correspondent

Eric Katz
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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.