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Office of Personnel Management Advances Rules to Address Underperforming Federal Workers

Office of Personnel Management Advances Rules to Address Underperforming Federal Workers

The Trump administration is nearing the finalization of two rules aimed at enhancing accountability for underperforming federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has reopened the comment period for its rule, titled 'Promoting Employee Accountability,' which is part of a joint proposal with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). This rule seeks to streamline the process for dismissing federal workers by establishing a 30-day performance improvement window, after which employees still falling short would generally face termination. The OPM rule also prohibits agencies from adding preliminary steps, allows managers to impose severe penalties without a history of progressive discipline, and bans 'clean-record settlements' that alter employees' HR files to resolve disputes. A companion MSPB rule, finalized on September 2, rolls back the 'Douglas Factors,' a 12-part test previously used to determine fair punishments, granting agencies 'substantial deference' in their decision-making.

A new Trump proposal would require tax filers to disclose citizenship status to the IRS

A new Trump proposal would require tax filers to disclose citizenship status to the IRS

The Trump administration has proposed a change to the 1040 tax form that will require Americans to disclose their citizenship and residency status

US removes Syria from arms export ban as Trump administration draws closer to new Syrian government

US removes Syria from arms export ban as Trump administration draws closer to new Syrian government

The Trump administration is removing Syria from a list of countries that aren't allowed to purchase or import U.S. weaponry

California, six other states sue Trump administration over federal funds

California, six other states sue Trump administration over federal funds

Oct 1 (Reuters) - California and six other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing it of withholding federal funds approved by Congress, including about $810 million the White House moved to cancel before the fiscal year ended.

Supreme Court grants review of Trump administration's mandatory detention policy for immigrants

Supreme Court grants review of Trump administration's mandatory detention policy for immigrants

The Supreme Court has agreed to review a Trump administration policy denying bond hearings for detained immigrants

Trump Administration's DOJ Targets Billions in Stolen Tax Dollars Amidst Fraud Epidemic

Trump Administration's DOJ Targets Billions in Stolen Tax Dollars Amidst Fraud Epidemic

The Trump administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) is intensifying its efforts to combat a widespread fraud epidemic, focusing on recovering billions in stolen taxpayer money. This initiative includes a significant federal crackdown in Southern California, where 12 individuals have been charged with fraudulently collecting over $10 million in taxpayer-funded child care subsidies. Prosecutors allege that licensed home daycare operators submitted false attendance records, claimed payments for services never rendered, and misused funds intended for low-income families. Investigations have utilized surveillance, travel records, and bank data to verify the delivery of taxpayer-funded services. Beyond child care fraud, the DOJ's broader enforcement actions target pandemic loan fraud and healthcare fraud prosecutions, aiming to make fraud enforcement a government-wide priority. This push reflects a concerted effort to address alleged abuse across various government programs.

Trump’s shift from 'Housing First' is causing upheaval for homelessness programs and many they serve

Trump’s shift from 'Housing First' is causing upheaval for homelessness programs and many they serve

The Trump administration is shifting federal policy and dollars away from the “Housing First” approach that has been at the heart of federal homelessness policy

Institute for Policy Studies Report Critiques Philanthropy Under Current Administration, Cites Increased DAF Contributions

Institute for Policy Studies Report Critiques Philanthropy Under Current Administration, Cites Increased DAF Contributions

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) has released its new report, 'Gilded Giving 2026: Philanthropy Under Oligarchy,' which critically examines the state of philanthropy, particularly under the current administration. The report highlights three main response patterns among major funders: accumulation, capitulation, and solidarity. It notes that the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' passed by the Trump administration has exacerbated wealth inequality by expanding tax breaks for billionaires, leading to a significant influx of donations into Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). Wealthy donors reportedly poured record amounts into DAFs before certain provisions of the law took effect, which might have limited their tax deductions. The report expresses concern that, without a mandatory DAF payout, the question of when these funds will reach working nonprofits remains acute. Bella DeVaan, co-author and IPS Charity Reform Initiative Director, stated that a dramatic influx into DAFs without a commensurate payout rate is exp...

President Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Adopt 'Super Intelligence' Terminology

President Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Adopt 'Super Intelligence' Terminology

President Trump signed an executive order on September 29, directing all executive branch agencies to replace the terms "artificial intelligence" and "AI" with "super intelligence" and "SI" in official communications, websites, reports, policy documents, and other non-statutory materials. The order, titled "Inaugurating the Era of Super Intelligence," aims to reflect the administration's view of the expanding capabilities of advanced AI systems. According to a White House fact sheet, the term "Super Intelligence" better conveys the true potential of these technologies to unlock human creativity and achieve previously impossible feats, rather than merely imitating or automating human intelligence. The order also mandates the assistant to the president for science and technology to submit proposed legislative language within 60 days to establish a federal definition of SI and assess potential changes to existing statutory references to AI. This linguistic change does not require agencies to revise previously...

Rubio orders visiting Iranian UN delegation to leave NYC ahead of schedule

Rubio orders visiting Iranian UN delegation to leave NYC ahead of schedule

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered Iran's foreign minister and his delegation to the U.N. General Assembly to leave New York earlier than they had planned

Trump rolls back federal hiring rules. Are disabled workers at risk?

Trump rolls back federal hiring rules. Are disabled workers at risk?

Trump just slashed federal disability hiring rules in new DEI crackdown. Advocates warn a decade of progress for disabled workers is now on the line.

US sanctions 10 over allegedly procuring weapons for Iran

US sanctions 10 over allegedly procuring weapons for Iran

WASHINGTON, Sept 29 - The United States has sanctioned 10 individuals and entities, including some based in China, Hong Kong and Pakistan, saying they helped Iran procure weapons and components, the US Treasury Department said Tuesday.