The Trump administration’s push to downsize the federal workforce has entered a new phase, marked by rounds of layoffs, the deferred-resignation plan, and other voluntary departure programs. As the federal government shutdown enters its second week, the administration has escalated
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Husch Blackwell Publishes Eighth Annual Project Perspectives Report
Our colleagues in Husch Blackwell’s Real Estate, Development & Construction industry group—with a notable assist from Kyle Gilster (head of our Public Policy practice) and Cortney Morgan (head of our International Trade group)—have published 2025 Project Perspectives, a 22-page
New DoD Cybersecurity Requirements Near Implementation
Last week, our colleagues Erik Dullea and Luis Hidalgo, writing for the Byte Back blog, reminded us all that the Department of Defense (DoD) is set to implement new cybersecurity requirements for contractors. Beginning November 10, 2025, DoD
What to Know About the Executive Order on “Improving” Federal Grantmaking
Last week, President Trump issued Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking. The order imposes a new review process to realign discretionary grant awards and ensure that any future grants issued under this Administration align with the President’s
DOJ Issues Sweeping Guidance on “Illegal DEI” Under Executive Order 14173
In a recent legal update, Husch Blackwell explores new guidance from the Department of Justice on how federal antidiscrimination laws—including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of
The Future of Small Business in Federal Contracting
For over 60 years, the Small Business Administration has celebrated Small Business Week to highlight the contributions of small and medium-sized businesses to the national economy. The Trump Administration marked this year’s Small Business Week celebration with a proclamation noting
DOJ’s Plan to Use the False Claims Act to Address Civil Rights Fraud
According to a memorandum issued on May 19, 2025, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) will use the False Claims Act as a tool to enforce federal civil rights laws. The new policy memo has serious potential implications for federal contractors and
GSA’s Expanded Role in Purchasing of “Common Goods and Services” under Executive Order 14240
In a separate post, we discuss how President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14240 (Mar. 20, 2025) will affect federal purchasing of information technology.
EO 14240 may also change how the federal government buys billions of dollars in other “common
Executive Order 14240 Shifts Information Technology Purchasing to GSA
President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14240 (Mar. 20, 2025) provides for the General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator to assume responsibility for all Government-wide contracts for the acquisition of information technology and to develop a plan to consolidate purchasing of many
Fourth Circuit Stays Preliminary Injunction That Blocked Key Portions of Anti-DEI Executive Orders
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has temporarily stayed a nationwide injunction, allowing the federal government to enforce provisions of Executive Orders 14173 and 14151, which restrict certain DEI activities, while the appeal proceeds. Businesses with federal