The number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the United States surpassed the grim milestone of 400,000 on Tuesday, the last full day of Donald Trump's presidency.
Biden s DHS Pick Defends Ethics Record, Promises Morale Boost for Workforce
Alejandro Mayorkas faces sharp questions over prior controversy despite praise for his service.
Senior Correspondent
President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Homeland Security Department faced pointed questioning over a controversy from his previous federal service, even as lawmakers in both parties agreed on the pressing need to finally confirm a secretary to the government’s third-largest agency.
Criticism for Alejandro Mayorkas broke down along party lines at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, with Republicans largely focusing on a 2015 inspector general report that found the DHS secretary-designate created the appearance of improper political influence when he intervened in various cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services while he was the agency’s director.
Government Executive
email A Call to Service Is Essential to Building Back Better
The new administration has an opportunity to catalyze new thinking that speaks directly to the needs of our times.
President/CEO, Celero Strategies, LLC
Over the years, I’ve had occasion to write about the essential nature of national and community service and of the federal government’s role in making service open to all. Given the events of the last two months, culminating in the violent spectacle of January 6th and the divisions they represent, it is clear that the role of service is more vital than ever. Indeed, a renewed federal commitment to service and civic engagement is foundational to truly “building back better,” as President-elect Biden has pledged.
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Security concerns in the run up to the inauguration have agencies taking special precautions.
Senior Correspondent
Federal agencies are taking drastic measures to keep employees safe with the looming threat of violence surrounding President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, including by hosting additional federal security personnel and even telling some workers to evacuate their homes.
Following the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week, federal offices in the Washington area and around the country are cautioning workers, many of whom are already working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to stay away, effective immediately. Prior to his resignation, then acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf moved the inauguration’s National Special Security Event designation timeline up from Jan. 19 to Jan. 13. This has led to widespread ro