Matt Bracken
@mattbracken.bsky.social
Editor in chief / tech journalist at FedScoop in DC. Michigan Man.
Reposted by Matt Bracken
Matt Bracken at @fedscoop.bsky.social did an excellent job detailing what will be lost with cuts to EPA-funded research here... Including the 3-year grant for rapid safety assessment our team at CMU lost 2 months into our work.
DOGE went ‘slash and burn’ on EPA grants. Scientists fear ‘grave’ impacts
Canceled grants include data-focused clean air and water projects, predictive models for chemical testing and more. Researchers worry the U.S. won’t “recover” from ruthless cuts to science.
fedscoop.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Matt Bracken at @fedscoop.bsky.social did an excellent job detailing what will be lost with cuts to EPA-funded research here... Including the 3-year grant for rapid safety assessment our team at CMU lost 2 months into our work.
I spent the past few months talking to scientists whose EPA grants were terminated by DOGE. Cuts included:
❌ clean air & water projects
❌ speeding up chemical testing
❌ alternatives to animal testing
❌ rural wastewater analysis to detect pandemics
❌ DNA sequencing to combat antibiotic resistance
❌ clean air & water projects
❌ speeding up chemical testing
❌ alternatives to animal testing
❌ rural wastewater analysis to detect pandemics
❌ DNA sequencing to combat antibiotic resistance
October 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I spent the past few months talking to scientists whose EPA grants were terminated by DOGE. Cuts included:
❌ clean air & water projects
❌ speeding up chemical testing
❌ alternatives to animal testing
❌ rural wastewater analysis to detect pandemics
❌ DNA sequencing to combat antibiotic resistance
❌ clean air & water projects
❌ speeding up chemical testing
❌ alternatives to animal testing
❌ rural wastewater analysis to detect pandemics
❌ DNA sequencing to combat antibiotic resistance
Reposted by Matt Bracken
“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."
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.
fedscoop.com
September 17, 2025 at 8:49 PM
“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."
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
cyberscoop.com
September 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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-...
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.
fedscoop.com
August 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
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-...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
Rebecca's story goes deep on a big ICE mining/monitoring program.
The DHS component published an RFI seeking the services of a company to scour data sources and help identify “potentially criminal and fraudulent behavior before crime and fraud can materialize.” via @rebheilweil.bsky.social fedscoop.com/ice-seeks-pr...
ICE seeks proprietary data and tech to monitor up to a million people
The DHS component published an RFI seeking the services of a company to scour data sources and help identify “potentially criminal and fraudulent behavior before crime and fraud can materialize.”
fedscoop.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Rebecca's story goes deep on a big ICE mining/monitoring program.
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
June 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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
OPM released two guidance documents Thursday outlining its plan for the hiring and recruitment of federal workers, roughly a month-and-a-half before the administration’s hiring freeze is set to lift. via @madialder.bsky.social & @mattbracken.bsky.social fedscoop.com/opm-outlines...
OPM outlines merit hiring plan, new SES process ahead of hiring freeze end
The documents paint a picture of who Trump wants to hire come July 15.
fedscoop.com
May 29, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Seven references to hiring “patriotic Americans” in this memo + a new essay requiring federal applicants to say how’d they advance presidential executive orders
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
May 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
‘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.
cyberscoop.com
May 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
May 16, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
#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
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.
fedscoop.com
May 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
#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
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
‘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-...
‘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.
fedscoop.com
May 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
‘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-...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
#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...
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.
fedscoop.com
May 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
#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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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:
Check out their coverage of the 2024 ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC Conference here:
April 17, 2025 at 4:59 PM
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:
Check out their coverage of the 2024 ACT-IAC Imagine Nation ELC Conference here:
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
Check out his story, “Could a HUD-funded 3D-printing project transform housing in Alaska?,” here: fedscoop.com/hud-3d-print...
April 17, 2025 at 5:02 PM
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...
Check out his story, “Could a HUD-funded 3D-printing project transform housing in Alaska?,” here: fedscoop.com/hud-3d-print...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
Free stuff is overrated anyway.
By @mattbracken.bsky.social and Sophia Fox-Sowell:
fedscoop.com/trump-admini...
By @mattbracken.bsky.social and Sophia Fox-Sowell:
fedscoop.com/trump-admini...
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.
fedscoop.com
April 16, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Free stuff is overrated anyway.
By @mattbracken.bsky.social and Sophia Fox-Sowell:
fedscoop.com/trump-admini...
By @mattbracken.bsky.social and Sophia Fox-Sowell:
fedscoop.com/trump-admini...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
April 7, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
IRS cuts about 50 IT staffers, sources say
The Trump administration has already hit the tax agency with thousands of firings.
fedscoop.com
March 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
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
March 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The kicker from @seancasten.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
fedscoop.com
February 26, 2025 at 6:42 PM
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...
Reposted by Matt Bracken
• @rebheilweil.bsky.social: rebheilweil.59
• @mattbracken.bsky.social: MattBracken.33
• @billy-mitchell.bsky.social: Billymitchell.89
• @mattbracken.bsky.social: MattBracken.33
• @billy-mitchell.bsky.social: Billymitchell.89
February 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
• @rebheilweil.bsky.social: rebheilweil.59
• @mattbracken.bsky.social: MattBracken.33
• @billy-mitchell.bsky.social: Billymitchell.89
• @mattbracken.bsky.social: MattBracken.33
• @billy-mitchell.bsky.social: Billymitchell.89
Reposted by Matt Bracken
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...
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.
cyberscoop.com
February 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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...