Matt Bracken

Direct File died under Trump. Meet the creators planning for its second life After building the IRS’s free electronic filing tool, the Economic Security Project’s Future of Tax Filing fellows are writing a playbook for it to “come back someday” — and pushing for more.

“I hope that [future administrations] pick the tax work back up where it was, which was a lot of momentum. And I hope they take that same energy across the rest of the government. I’m a firm believer, government can be a force for good in people’s lives."

Prolific Russian ransomware operator living in California enjoys rare leniency awaiting trial Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko allegedly committed ransomware attacks from 2018 to 2022. He’s been out on bond since his arrest almost a year ago, despite multiple run-ins with police.

The DOJ recently put out a release stating it had taken ~$2m back from a Zepplin ransomware affiliate. @mattkapko.com dug in more and found out that Ianis Antropenko has had a pretty long leash from the feds, despite a long rap sheet over the past few years. cyberscoop.com/ianis-antrop...

Direct File died under Trump. Meet the creators planning for its second life After building the IRS’s free electronic filing tool, the Economic Security Project’s Future of Tax Filing fellows are writing a playbook for it to “come back someday” — and pushing for more.

After building the IRS’s free electronic filing tool, the Economic Security Project’s Future of Tax Filing fellows are writing a playbook for it to “come back someday” — and pushing for more. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/direct-file-...

Rebecca's story goes deep on a big ICE mining/monitoring program.

Russell Vought: DOGE will ‘be far more institutionalized’ at agencies The OMB director shared plans with House lawmakers for a post-Elon Musk DOGE, further entrenched in agencies and funded by the agency’s Information Technology Oversight and Reform appropriations.

The OMB director shared plans with House lawmakers for a post-Elon Musk DOGE, further entrenched in agencies and funded by the agency’s Information Technology Oversight and Reform appropriations. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/russell-voug...

DOGE took credit for his team's work. Now, an OPM alum fights to get his job back A group of RIF’d staffers are behind a class-action appeal to return to work, following moves that may signal a Trump desire to merge OPM, OMB and GSA.

DOGE took credit for his team’s work. Now, an OPM alum fights to get his job back. A group of RIF’d staffers are behind a class-action appeal to return to work, following moves that may signal a Trump desire to merge OPM, OMB and GSA. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/doge-took-cr...

Seven references to hiring “patriotic Americans” in this memo + a new essay requiring federal applicants to say how’d they advance presidential executive orders

DOGE receipts for SBA fall billions short of administrator’s cost-savings claim Kelly Loeffler said canceled contracts have saved the SBA $3 billion, but DOGE data shows $22 million in savings.

DOGE receipts for #SBA fall billions short of administrator’s cost-savings claim. Kelly Loeffler said canceled contracts have saved the SBA $3 billion, but #DOGE data shows $22 million in savings. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/doge-cost-sa...

‘Whatever we did was not enough’: How Salt Typhoon slipped through the government's blind spots Critics tell CyberScoop the U.S. federal government had many failings in the lead up to and the response to the Salt Typhoon breach.

This one was a long time in the works, about the government response to Salt Typhoon. And there's more to come from CyberScoop on this. cyberscoop.com/salt-typhoon...

GAO thwarts attempt by DOGE to set up a team within the watchdog The congressional watchdog told staff it’s “not subject to DOGE or Executive Orders” after the White House efficiency group attempted to set up shop within the agency.

The congressional watchdog told staff it’s “not subject to DOGE or Executive Orders” after the White House efficiency group attempted to set up shop within the agency. via @mattbracken.bsky.social & @madialder.bsky.social fedscoop.com/gao-watchdog...

DOGE could scrap identity protections for those impacted by OPM breach, senator warns Sen. Mark Warner urged OPM’s acting director to ensure identity protection services continue for the more than 21 million individuals affected by the 2015 breach.

#DOGE could scrap identity protections for those impacted by #OPM breach, senator warns. Sen. Mark Warner urged OPM’s acting director to ensure identity protection services continue for the more than 21 million individuals affected by the 2015 #breach. via @mattbracken.bsky.social

House Democrats want Treasury watchdog probe following DOGE’s IRS ‘hackathon’ A letter led by Rep. Gerry Connolly asks Treasury’s OIG to investigate DOGE’s data and IT modernization work at the tax agency following a reported API sprint potentially involving Palantir.

A letter led by Rep. Gerry Connolly asks Treasury’s OIG to investigate DOGE’s data and IT modernization work at the tax agency following a reported API sprint potentially involving Palantir. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/house-oversi...

‘AI boom’ will make up for IRS workforce cuts, Treasury secretary says Scott Bessent told House lawmakers that better IT and artificial intelligence will “enhance collections” at the tax agency, which has shed 11% of its workforce during this administration.

‘AI boom’ will make up for IRS workforce cuts, Treasury secretary says. Scott Bessent told House lawmakers that better IT and #AI will “enhance collections” at the tax agency, which has shed 11% of its workforce during this administration. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/irs-cuts-ai-...

DOGE has arrived at the heart of Homeland Security's biometrics operations Sources say the Elon Musk-led group is considering a system that agency leaders had hoped would replace its current biometrics database.

#DOGE has arrived at the heart of Homeland Security’s biometrics operations. Sources say the Elon Musk-led group is considering a system that agency leaders had hoped would replace its current #biometrics database. via @rebheilweil.bsky.social fedscoop.com/doge-arrives...

Congrats to FedScoop journalists Billy Mitchell, Madison Alder and Matt Bracken for winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic @ASBPE awards in the Online Event Coverage category!

Congrats to FedScoop journalists @billy-mitchell.bsky.social, @madialder.bsky.social and @mattbracken.bsky.social for winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic #ASBPE awards in the Online Event Coverage category!

Check out their coverage of the 2024 ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC Conference here:

Congrats to FedScoop managing editor Matt Bracken for winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic ASBPE awards in the Innovation Article category!

Congrats to FedScoop managing editor @mattbracken.bsky.social for winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic #ASBPE awards in the Innovation Article category!

Check out his story, “Could a HUD-funded 3D-printing project transform housing in Alaska?,” here: fedscoop.com/hud-3d-print...

Trump administration set to end IRS’s Direct File program, per source The free electronic filing program has been targeted by Senate and House GOP lawmakers and the tax preparation industry since its 2024 launch.

Free stuff is overrated anyway.
By @mattbracken.bsky.social and Sophia Fox-Sowell:
fedscoop.com/trump-admini...

Stilted innovation, less efficiency: Former IRS executives explain the impact of DOGE cuts Recently departed tax agency leaders detail how workforce reductions could undercut modernization and the use of AI.

Stilted innovation, less efficiency: Former #IRS executives explain the impact of #DOGE cuts. Recently departed tax agency leaders detail how #workforce reductions could undercut modernization and the use of #AI. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/irs-moderniz...

IRS cuts about 50 IT staffers, sources say The Trump administration has already hit the tax agency with thousands of firings.

The #IRS on Friday placed around 50 #IT staffers on administrative leave, according to two sources familiar with the situation, the latest in the Trump administration’s gutting of the tax agency during the heart of filing season. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/irs-it-layof...

The kicker from @seancasten.bsky.social

GAO has a blueprint for cost savings, but so far has gotten the cold shoulder from DOGE As the Trump administration slashes the federal workforce, the comptroller general said Elon Musk and his associates have barely sought out GAO’s cost-cutting and efficiency guidance.

As the Trump administration slashes the federal #workforce, the comptroller general said #ElonMusk and his associates have barely sought out GAO’s cost-cutting and efficiency guidance. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/gao-watchdog...

• @rebheilweil.bsky.social: rebheilweil.59
• @mattbracken.bsky.social: MattBracken.33
• @billy-mitchell.bsky.social: Billymitchell.89

Cybersecurity, government experts are aghast at security failures in DOGE takeover Elon Musk’s takeover of key systems across the government is ignoring decades of laws, regulations and procedures, experts told CyberScoop.

Nice story from @derekbjohnson.bsky.social on @cyberscoop.bsky.social: Cybersecurity, government experts are aghast at security failures in DOGE takeover cyberscoop.com/musk-doge-op...

OPM memo claims some agency telework policies are ‘unlawful’ The memo says telework and remote work measures in collective bargaining agreements “that conflict with management rights are unlawful and cannot be enforced.”

#OPM memo claims some #agency telework #policies are ‘unlawful.' The memo says #telework and #remote work measures in collective bargaining agreements “that conflict with management rights are #unlawful and cannot be enforced.” via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/opm-telework...

NOAA inboxes spammed with crude Trump jokes, Scientology subscription Emails forecasting a “99% chance of shit showers” for the next four years and signing people up for Scientology Today were immediately posted online.

FedScoop's on a heater. by @madialder.bsky.social fedscoop.com/noaa-inboxes...

Second Biden cyber executive order directs agency action on fed security, AI, space A draft cybersecurity executive order would tackle cyber defenses in locations ranging from outer space to the U.S. federal bureaucracy.

We wrote up a draft of the stuffed second Biden cyber executive order... cyberscoop.com/biden-admini...

Stronger cyber protections in health care targeted in new Senate bill The bipartisan legislation from four senators is aimed at strengthening providers’ cyber defenses and protecting Americans’ health data.

Stronger #cyber protections in #health care targeted in new #Senate bill. The bipartisan legislation from four senators is aimed at strengthening providers’ cyber defenses and protecting Americans’ health #data. via @mattbracken.bsky.social cyberscoop.com/senate-cyber...

Bipartisan Senate bill targets supply chain threats from foreign adversaries The bill would strengthen oversight powers for the body charged with investigating IT products from China and other foes.

An interagency #federal council charged with securing the government’s #IT supply chain would get stronger oversight powers under new legislation from a #bipartisan pair of Senate lawmakers. via @mattbracken.bsky.social cyberscoop.com/federal-acqu...

Congress should designate an entity to oversee data security, GAO says The watchdog recommended governmentwide coordination to ensure the public’s civil rights and civil liberties are protected.

Congress should designate an entity to oversee #data #security, #GAO says. The watchdog recommended governmentwide coordination to ensure the public’s civil rights and civil liberties are protected. via @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/congress-dat...

GREAT reporting from my colleagues (and a hell of a last line)