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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 20h

Mhmm.

Speaker Johnson's website: "As agencies shut down, federal employees will either be furloughed, or in some cases required to work without pay. Under federal law, employees are entitled to back pay upon the government reopening."

Speaker Mike Johnson's website saying: As agencies shut down, federal employees will either be furloughed, or in some cases required to work without pay. Under federal law, employees are entitled to back pay upon the government reopening.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 20h

Former OMB associate director on personnel here: This is blatantly false and inexplicably undermines Congress's authority. Congress made extremely clear in 2019 that furloughed feds are to be paid, full stop, period. There is no question, except why the Speaker would make such a statement.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 21h

Johnson: "It's true that in previous shutdowns, many or most furloughed employees have been paid for the time they were furloughed, but there is new legal analysis - I don't know the details, I just saw a headline - but there are some legal analysts saying that might not be appropriate or necessary"

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 2d

I’m sorry what.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 4d

Unclear if the people who got married 16 years ago ate carbs

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 5d

On @sirenspod.bsky.social “it’s a drill” section this week, I highlighted the final paper to digital checks transition at SSA. For much more, check out this great thread and any of Kathleen’s work bsky.app/profile/kath...

Kathleen Romig @kathleenromig.bsky.social · 13d

Something to watch next week: the deadline for the Social Security Administration (along with the rest of gov) to stop issuing paper checks.

www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...

Social Security signals potential benefit disruptions this fall for those still getting paper checks

Over half a million people still get their Social Security benefits via paper checks. They’ll need a waiver by the end of September to continue to do so, SSA says.

www.nextgov.com

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Reposted by Loren DeJonge Schulman

Sirens: A Bombshell Production @sirenspod.bsky.social · 5d

New episode!

UNGA, Advise & Consent, Democratic Data - should the senate review nominations in batches? why is the Admin extorting H1B visa applicants? and can you have an accountable government without government data?

Also, our favorite Redford movies.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u...

UNGA, Advise & Consent, Democratic Data

Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 10/02/2025 · 1h 17m

podcasts.apple.com

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Reposted by Loren DeJonge Schulman

Sirens: A Bombshell Production @sirenspod.bsky.social · 5d

New episode! Special guest Denice Ross joins to talk about the federal data ecosystem and why it matters for democratic accountability. Plus: H1B changes, new senate rules on nominations, and yes, the great gaggle of gobsmacked GOFOs. Plus: Robert Redford! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

UNGA, Advise & Consent, Democratic Data

Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 10/02/2025 · 1h 17m

podcasts.apple.com

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Reposted by Loren DeJonge Schulman

Out In National Security @outinnationalsecurity.org · 6d

“We’re seeing the arson of our government,” warns Max Stier of Partnership for Public Service. Bendery’s reporting shows how today’s shutdown accelerates talent & knowledge loss. Our explainer follows ⬇️

web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/jben...

Jen Bendery (@jbendery.bsky.social)

ICYMI: Trump has just about decimated the federal workforce, with more than 199,000 people pushed out since Jan, per a new report. Nearly 10% of the entire federal civilian workforce gone. “The serv...

web-cdn.bsky.app

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 6d

great thread!

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Reposted by Loren DeJonge Schulman

Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

If you could only read one book form the rest of your life, what two would you have a hard time choosing between?

Prep for @sirenspod.bsky.social out tomorrow, distraction from the late unpleasantness. 📚

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

It’s also great to have less dense books you’ve read so many times that they’re like Top Gun on TV in then background. You can float through them, snuggle into favorite parts, skip chapters. I’ve basically memorized Discovery of Witches for some reason.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

Years ago I might have said, the Sparrow, which after 15 years of rereads I really parsed a line where an alien described water in a narrow gorge as ugly, and that more than anything suddenly revealed his alienness.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

For me: I’ve read Wolf Hall so MANY times and still find new things. My last read, I appreciated Gregory. It took me at least 4 reads to really fully notice Cromwell’s great project. Maybe 20 before I also asked if he’d betrayed the Cardinal. It’s still new!

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

If you could only read one book form the rest of your life, what two would you have a hard time choosing between?

Prep for @sirenspod.bsky.social out tomorrow, distraction from the late unpleasantness. 📚

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

Did you physically abuse someone, or encourage toxic climate? Earnest mistake! Did you give consideration to women's ability to serve effectively and honorably? oh. no. no no no.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d

Hegseth: "You should not pay for an earnest mistake for your entire career. That's why today, at my direction, we're making changes to the retention of adverse information on personnel records."

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 7d

The Vice President looks at himself in the mirror.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 7d

Hegseth: "Today, at my direction, the era of unprofessional appearance is over. No more beardos ... if you don't meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a PT test or don't want to shave and look professional, it's time for a new position."

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 8d

*strong deterrent to China.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 8d

“You can have a strong presence in Europe or a strong deterrent to or a strong Trump QRF command, but you can’t have them all.”

“Hmm, but why not all three and we just don’t talk about it.”

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 8d

My warmed over take is that while some parts of our defense establishment want genuine and clear prioritization, much prefers defense strategy with broad loopholes you can drive BCTs and some carriers through. As if were.

Daniel Y. Chiu @dycinwdc.bsky.social · 8d

Military leaders voice concern over Hegseth’s new Pentagon strategy

Top military officials have voiced concern over the Trump administration’s forthcoming defense strategy, exposing a divide between the Pentagon’s political and uniformed leadership.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 9d

Its on the spectrum (tho I wouldn’t wear it on travel simple because its not comfortable). However, one might offer a similar comment on the principal in the middle who never learned about where your pants should break.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 9d

I don’t love Kristina but there is nothing wrong this this outfit. Senior pentagon women dress like this across admins. This outfit might (might) have stood out in 2005.

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 9d

Good discussion on civilian control in the various embedding threads here.

2 thoughts: Civ control + Civ mil relations concepts presume mutual seriousness and, to a degree, competence but don’t really get practiced that way.

Every admin has to deal with the weird hang ups created by the prior.

David Alman @davidalman.bsky.social · 9d

This is of course a double-edged sword.

Congrats, general - civilians are in charge of you. Should have chosen a different career if you didn’t like it.

But also, this is why civilians need to actually have expertise and know what they’re doing. Can’t be young *and* dumb *and* get respect.

James Vizzard @jwvizzard.bsky.social · 9d

It reminded me then of an earlier interaction with a different general, who told me how offended he was by the treatment from an assistant secretary of defense. The common denominator was substantially younger people with little or no military record failing to defer. 3/

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Reposted by Loren DeJonge Schulman

Sirens: A Bombshell Production @sirenspod.bsky.social · 9d

As Trump once more threatens to send National Guard troops to an American city uninvited and unneeded, check out the last chapter of "JROC, Gerrymandering, and Guardsmen" for a master class on domestic military deployments with @lindsaypcohn.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

JROC, Gerrymandering, and Guardsmen

Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 09/03/2025 · 1h 13m

podcasts.apple.com

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Reposted by Loren DeJonge Schulman

Sirens: A Bombshell Production @sirenspod.bsky.social · 10d

Sirens @ NY Climate Week! @lorenraeds.bsky.social interviewed @eliorg.bsky.social's Jordan Diamond, former EPA Admin Carol Browner, and Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen on the path to climate progress through govt reform. thx @climategroup.bsky.social! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Sirens at Climate Week Live!

Podcast Episode · Sirens: A Bombshell production · 09/26/2025 · 30m

podcasts.apple.com

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Loren DeJonge Schulman @lorenraeds.bsky.social · 13d

Here’s the thing about doing this now: cabinet secretaries have figured out they need at least some capacity to do anything (in fact, some agencies are in the middle of mass rehiring). DOGE and early RIFs didn’t have experienced principals to say shove it. They might now. Does Vought have the juice?

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 13d

Government of the people, by the people, and for the people…

www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

White House to agencies: Prepare mass firing plans for a shutdown

In memo, the Trump administration says the Reduction-in-Force plans would go beyond standard shutdown furloughs.

www.politico.com

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