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Our online community now tops 150,000 federal workers and supporters across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Each briefing distills the day’s most consequential developments, adds clear-eyed legal analysis, and pairs it with mindfulness tools that keep you steady no matter how turbulent the news cycle becomes. If this newsletter helps you stay informed, please pass it on: https://fedlegalhelp.com/newsletter. Your advocacy broadens the protective circle for every federal employee.

Top Three News Stories:

1. Carpools, Side Jobs, and Food Banks: How Feds Working Through the Shutdown are Navigating Delayed Pay

Many “excepted” federal employees are working without on-time pay and turning to carpools, food banks, and side gigs to bridge the gap. Unions warn safety-critical roles like air traffic control can’t afford distraction or fatigue as bills pile up. Some staff are receiving partial paychecks while others have none, depending on carryover funds at their agencies. For federal employees, this means to expect uneven pay experiences across agencies and to plan proactively for missed or partial checks while monitoring agency updates. Government Executive

Legal Insight:

Outside work is often allowed, but check your agency’s ethics rules and any approval requirements before taking a side job. If you are furloughed, do not perform government work unless formally recalled, and keep copies of all notices. Contact creditors and landlords in writing to request short-term accommodations, and consider available employee-assistance resources. If you face discipline or retaliation for lawful off-duty work or speaking up about unsafe conditions, talk with your union and consider consulting counsel.

2. ‘Budgetary Twister:’ Trump Administration Pushes Limits to Pay Federal Law Enforcement Amid Shutdown

The administration is repurposing some funds so military members and certain FBI personnel continue to receive pay during the shutdown, while many other excepted employees still miss paychecks. DOJ’s contingency plan shows most of its workforce designated “excepted,” but not necessarily paid on time. The FBI Agents Association thanked the administration for ensuring agent pay, even as other components remain unpaid. For federal employees, this means pay may continue for some categories while others wait for retroactive pay—follow formal agency guidance and don’t rely on public statements alone. Federal News Network

Legal Insight: 

Using funds outside their intended purpose can raise Antideficiency Act and “purpose statute” issues, so agencies will communicate narrowly who is covered; rely on written notices about your status. If you are excepted and working, track hours worked and keep all pay communications. If you are furloughed, do not volunteer to work; review state unemployment rules, which vary. If you receive conflicting directions or believe rules are being broken, escalate in writing and consider seeking counsel.

3. Judiciary Democrats Launch Watchdog Website Amid Withheld Funding from Inspector General Group

After OMB withheld funding from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, several OIG websites—and Oversight.gov—went dark. House Judiciary Democrats set up a centralized page listing whistleblower hotlines and temporary sites so employees can still report waste, fraud and abuse. Lawmakers from both parties have pushed the White House to apportion funds for CIGIE, while some OIGs stand up interim pages with limited functionality. For federal employees, this means whistleblowers still have channels to report concerns even while standard OIG sites are offline. Nextgov

Legal Insight:  

Federal whistleblower laws protect disclosures of waste, fraud, abuse, or dangers to health and safety made through lawful channels. Use official hotlines or designated interim contacts and avoid sharing sensitive information on personal email or unsecured systems. Keep records of what you reported and when. If you fear retaliation or need help choosing the right channel, consult your union and consider speaking with counsel.

Mindful Moment of the Day: 

The One-Task Reset  

When your day feels overwhelming and your attention splintered, pause and quietly ask: What one task, if completed now, will make everything else easier or less stressful? Then, dedicate yourself fully to that single task. Single-tasking not only boosts productivity—it calms anxiety, reduces mental clutter, and restores a sense of control and clarity amidst workplace chaos.