Oversight
Comptroller general says impoundment violations are a ‘high priority’ for GAO
Gene Dodaro said the Government Accountability Office will move “as quickly and thoroughly as possible” to enforce potential violations of the Impoundment Control Act as the Trump administration seeks to take a cleaver to federal spending.
Oversight
Musk might have violated federal employee ethics law, lawyers say
Enforcement of the Hatch Act, which restricts the political activity of government workers, has historically been weak against high-ranking officials.
Oversight
Independent agencies targeted by Trump’s latest executive order
A regulatory expert said the directive will likely be challenged in court, as Congress has largely shielded some of the affected agencies from involvement by the White House.
Oversight
Judge temporarily blocks Trump from firing Democratic member of federal employee appeals board
Trump has tried to remove Democratic officials in positions that safeguard civil service protections.
Updated
Oversight
Inspectors general file lawsuit to fight firings
The litigation comes as a Democratic member of the Merit Systems Protection Board who Trump removed is also asking the courts to stop her ousting.
Oversight
DHS watchdog investigating TSA’s use of facial recognition
The review comes after a bipartisan group of senators previously called for the watchdog to look into TSA’s use of biometric tools “from both an authorities and privacy perspective.”
Oversight
Congressional response to watchdog firings hindered by GOP control, Connolly says
A good government group fears that Trump will ignore rules about who can serve as an acting inspector general.
Oversight
Court temporarily blocks Trump's spending freeze; government's top watchdog is reviewing whether it is legal
GAO has enforcement options if it deems the Trump administration is violating the law.
Oversight
Trump fires multiple agency inspectors general
Sen. Grassley and a top watchdog said Trump did not adhere to congressional notification requirements about such removals.
Updated
Oversight
Inspectors general have a new bipartisan caucus in the Senate
The president-elect has a record of removing inspectors general.
Oversight
Top Oversight Democrat says he’s open to collaborate with the DOGE
The new Department of Government Efficiency — which, despite the “department” referenced in its name, is an advisory effort, not a government department — has aims to trim the federal workforce and hunt efficiencies in tech and fraud reduction efforts.
Oversight
Advanced health research agency needs a strategic workforce plan, watchdog says
The GAO report also found ARPA-H, as of July 1, 2024, has not hired any scientists who are Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or two or more races.
Oversight
Energy Dept. watchdog reports that travel expense violations in secretary’s criticized EV road trip caused by lack of oversight and knowledge
House Republicans blasted the trip as “ripe with waste, fraud and abuse,” but the report found that some of the violations cost the federal government less than $100.
Oversight
Coast Guard is resisting oversight of mishandled sexual misconduct cases, lawmakers say
Congressional inquires were spurred by revelations that the Coast Guard did not disclose an investigation into possible sexual assaults at its service academy.
Oversight
Two senior executives receive unpaid suspensions for unlawful hiring practices
While one of the executives currently works for a different agency with a new position, they will still be disciplined, OSC officials said.
Oversight
CBP chief medical official moved months after whistleblower complaints
Whistleblowers accused Dr. Alexander Eastman of creating a hostile work environment, among other allegations.
Oversight
Fed employee advocate Connolly to lead Democrats on House Oversight Committee
The Virginia Democrat could be a leading opponent to Trump’s plans for overhauling the civil service.
Oversight
Legislation to promote better federal building security set to be signed into law
Multiple watchdogs have recently criticized the effectiveness of security at government facilities.
Oversight
3 key findings on the Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.
The congressional panel investigating assassination attempts on Donald Trump issued its final report this week.
Oversight