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Matt Bracken

@mattbracken.bsky.social
144 followers 72 following 5 posts

Editor in chief / tech journalist at FedScoop in DC. Michigan Man.

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Reposted by Matt Bracken
K. Sophie Will @ksophiewill.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
After I broke the news that @deptvetaffairs.bsky.social raised the Oracle #EHRM contract to *$27 BILLION*, we did a comprehensive deep dive into how we got here & where the $$$ is going Read + explore the interactive timeline & spending tables @fedscoop.bsky.social 👇 fedscoop.com/bipartisan-b...
fedscoop.com
Inside the bipartisan backlash to the $27 billion VA-Oracle EHRM contract blindsiding Congress
Billions of dollars, dozens of hearings, three administrations and no answers. On the VA’s fourth attempt to modernize electronic health records, Congress says “enough.”
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Yet more intra- @fedscoop.bsky.social / @cyberscoop.bsky.social namesakery, from @derekbjohnson.bsky.social @ksophiewill.bsky.social @madialder.bsky.social fedscoop.com/login-gov-om...
fedscoop.com
Draft OMB memo mandates agency use of Login-dot-gov on government websites
Federal IT leaders across administrations have wanted a single sign-on service. The memo requires the use of Login but does not bar other forms of authentication.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
First in @fedscoop.bsky.social by @lindseywilkinson.bsky.social with an assist from me: a top DHS official is heading for the exits. fedscoop.com/dhs-cio-depa...
fedscoop.com
DHS CIO Antoine McCord to exit agency
The Anduril alum and Marine Corps veteran joined DHS as its top technology leader in March 2025. He is the latest CIO planning to leave the role amid a slew of other resignations.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
CyberScoop @cyberscoop.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
The president’s speech re-hashed debunked conspiracies around U.S. elections. Critics say the administration’s 18-month investigation into voter fraud has been a total failure. via @derekbjohnson.bsky.social Read more: cyberscoop.com/state-offici...
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Great stuff from Derek here.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The OMB director essentially acknowledged DOGE’s phase-out and told House lawmakers he could provide an “assessment” of the Elon Musk group’s work if needed. via @mattbracken.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHUY... | fedscoop.com/no-doge-acti...
youtube.com
No plans for a DOGE after-action report, Russell Vought says
YouTube video by FedScoop
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Regional Innovation Clusters enjoyed bipartisan support for 15 years. Then Elon Musk’s group canceled awards and left backers of the tech startup initiative searching for answers. via @mattbracken.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q46p... | fedscoop.com/small-busine...
youtube.com
How DOGE derailed an SBA tech program
YouTube video by FedScoop
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Matt Bracken @mattbracken.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Lots of interesting details in this very good @defector.com piece about the life and death of Direct File. I covered a good chunk of the same ground in this profile of the tool's creators last August fedscoop.com/direct-file-...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
I spoke to a ton of people for this comprehensive story about CISA one year into the Trump administration, and all sorts were VERY unsparing in their criticism. cyberscoop.com/cisa-personn...
cyberscoop.com
Across party lines and industry, the verdict is the same: CISA is in trouble
One year into the second Trump administration, CISA faces a 33% loss in personnel and shuttered divisions. Experts warn of "decimated" capabilities and a leadership vacuum as the agency struggles to m...
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
From searches of mobile devices to facial recognition, the Homeland Security division has nearly doubled its use cases since July 2025, according to the Wednesday report. via @lindseywilkinson.bsky.social & @madialder.bsky.social fedscoop.com/dhs-ai-inven...
fedscoop.com
ICE drives AI use case growth within Homeland Security
From searches of mobile devices to facial recognition, the Homeland Security division has nearly doubled its use cases since July 2025, according to the Wednesday report.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Carrie McDonough @carrieamcdphd.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
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.
fedscoop.com
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.
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Matt Bracken @mattbracken.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
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
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Alt18F @alt18f.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
“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."
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Greg Otto @gregotto.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
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...
cyberscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
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-...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Rebecca's story goes deep on a big ICE mining/monitoring program.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Matt Bracken @mattbracken.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Seven references to hiring “patriotic Americans” in this memo + a new essay requiring federal applicants to say how’d they advance presidential executive orders
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
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...
cyberscoop.com
‘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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
#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
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
‘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-...
fedscoop.com
‘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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
#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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
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 journalists Billy Mitchell, Madison Alder and Matt Bracken for winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic @ASBPE awards in the Online Event Coverage category!
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FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
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...
Congrats to FedScoop managing editor Matt Bracken for winning gold at the Mid-Atlantic ASBPE awards in the Innovation Article category!
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
IRS cuts about 50 IT staffers, sources say
The Trump administration has already hit the tax agency with thousands of firings.
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Matt Bracken @mattbracken.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
The kicker from @seancasten.bsky.social
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
• @rebheilweil.bsky.social: rebheilweil.59 • @mattbracken.bsky.social: MattBracken.33 • @billy-mitchell.bsky.social: Billymitchell.89
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Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
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...
cyberscoop.com
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.
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FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
#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...
fedscoop.com
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.”
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
FedScoop's on a heater. by @madialder.bsky.social fedscoop.com/noaa-inboxes...
fedscoop.com
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.
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Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
We wrote up a draft of the stuffed second Biden cyber executive order... cyberscoop.com/biden-admini...
cyberscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
CyberScoop @cyberscoop.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
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...
cyberscoop.com
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.
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Reposted by Matt Bracken
CyberScoop @cyberscoop.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
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...
cyberscoop.com
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.
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FedScoop @fedscoop.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
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...
fedscoop.com
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.
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madialder.bsky.social @madialder.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
GREAT reporting from my colleagues (and a hell of a last line)
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rebheilweil.bsky.social @rebheilweil.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
gonna be posting here more, mostly about what government and technology issues, particularly under this new administration. also want to flag some colleagues, including @mattbracken.bsky.social @madialder.bsky.social @chrismvasq.bsky.social
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