Latest from Lisa Rein
Many veterans don’t trust coronavirus vaccines. For a VA crew in the rural West, that means changing minds, one by one.
Faced with rampant skepticism about the coronavirus vaccine in rural areas, the Department of Veterans Affairs has set out on a labor-intensive effort to offer it to former servicemembers. What VA is learning suggests challenges ahead in getting the nation to herd immunity.
- Apr 17, 2021
Trump officials hindered at least nine key oversight probes, watchdogs said. Some may finally be released in coming months.
Independent federal watchdogs who scrutinized the Trump administration for waste, fraud and misconduct ran into roadblocks on multiple fronts, according to public documents and people familiar with inspector general offices.
- Mar 23, 2021
Biden turns to Obama administration veteran to lead key federal personnel agency
Kiran Ahuja served on Biden’s transition team and will lead the Office of Personnel Management.
- Feb 23, 2021
Biden’s new VA chief inherits oversight office from Trump viewed as abetting corruption
The Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection represents an unkept promise from a president who said he would drain the swamp of corruption — especially at VA.
- Feb 18, 2021
Denis McDonough confirmed as President Biden’s Veterans Affairs chief
McDonough becomes only the second non-veteran to lead the sprawling agency, which is beset by challenges. Only the Defense Department is larger.
- Feb 8, 2021
Trump left behind a damaged government. Here’s what Biden faces as he rebuilds it.
Civil servants have hunkered in a defensive crouch as Trump and his allies demanded political loyalty, tested their professionalism and called them the intransigent “deep state.”
- Feb 6, 2021
Biden’s VA pick, Denis McDonough, tells lawmakers he’ll fight for veterans
McDonough served in the Obama White House in several high-profile roles. He would be the second non-veteran to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary.
- Jan 27, 2021
- Post Reports
All the (former) president’s men
Why President Biden may not be able to fire some federal employees appointed during the Trump administration. The first Latino senator from California. And, what the new federal mask mandate means for you.
- Jan 27, 2021
Millions earmarked for public health emergencies were used to pay for unrelated projects, inspector general says
Staff referred to agency as the ‘bank of BARDA’ and said research and development funds were regularly tapped for unrelated projects, from salaries to the removal of office furniture, the report finds.
- Jan 27, 2021
Biden is firing some top Trump holdovers, but in some cases, his hands may be tied
Trump-friendly officials who served the previous administration as political appointees have burrowed into career roles at federal agencies, with protections against dismissal.
- Jan 24, 2021