The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

The widespread layoffs unfolding across the federal government present a prime opportunity for foreign spy agencies. The foundation for defense of democracies, recently uncovered a likely Chinese intelligence operation targeting former Feds through fake recruiting websites. For more on this scheme and what to watch out for Federal News Network's Justin Doubleday spoke with FDD, Senior Analyst for emerging threats, Max lesser.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Using artificial intelligence to reduce DoD's procurement timelines New research speeds up quantum computing See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Commercial firms are already using AI to simplify procurement. While bringing that approach into DoD offers great promise, there are also some significant obstacles. A new paper from the National Defense Industrial Association's Emerging Technologies Institute offers some specific recommendations for balancing risks and benefits. Joining me with more details is ETI Associate Research Fellow, Wilson Miles.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

During the confirmation hearings of the Office of Management and Budget Director and Deputy Director for budget earlier this year, lawmakers pressed Russ Vought and Dan Bishop about whether they would comply with the Impoundment Control Act. The budget rules of the road require congressional approval if OMB decides not to spend money appropriated in law, while both Vought and Bishop promised to comply with the law. A new decision by the Government Accountability Office casts further doubt on whether OMB will follow the 1974 impoundment Control Act. For more on GAO's recent decision, Federal News Networks Executive Editor Jason Miller joins me.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Defense Department is wrapping up its what you did last week exercise, but it has one final ask of its civilian workforce, Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis is here with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered immediate changes to the DoD household goods moving program, mainly to deal with the department's current struggles in implementing the new global household goods contract. But there's a new effort in the works that could make some significant changes to how often service members have to move in the first place. Hegseth is framing the latest initiative as a cost cutting move, but it could also offer members of the military more geographic stability in the coming years. Federal News Network's Jared Serbu joins me now with details See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump Administration has rescinded a rule related to the Hatch Act that now allows federal employees to wear campaign paraphernalia. That is only if the items are not in support of a person who is actively running for office. That may be confusing as potential candidates don't seem to ever stop campaigning in this era of influencer and branding. For some explanation of this move and what it could potentially mean for the Hatch Act overall, Federal News Network's Eric White spoke with Michael Fallings, Managing Partner at the law firm Tully Rinckey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Federal civilians already have a lot on their minds these days, including thinking about whether or not to take one of the retirement options on the table. The reconciliation bill in Congress could change your math and make you recalculate your estimated benefits. Joining us to lay out the factors is Thiago Glieger, a wealth adviser with RMG Advisers of Rockville, Maryland, a firm that specializes in federal employees. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The protection of whistleblowers is a key tenet in our concept of government transparency and accountability, but that bargain seems pretty tenuous today. For more on the current environment and what might happen with a whistleblower complaint, Stephen Kohn joins me now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton What whistleblowers should consider before filing a report How the reconciliation bill may impact federal employee retirement planning The Trump administration may be taking a hatchet to the Hatch Act See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.