federal government | FFXnow

Published January 30, 2025 at 9:00AM

Justice High School cafeteria staff prepare meals for distribution to students during a snow day (courtesy Donnie Biggs/FCPS)

The Trump administration’s plan to freeze federal spending could’ve disrupted free and reduced-price meals for thousands of students if it had taken effect, according to Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid.

The directive, issued Monday (Jan. 27), ordered federal agencies to halt grants, loans, and other aid and review federal financial assistance programs to ensure they align with President Donald Trump’s policy agenda, which has prioritized cutting government spending and scaling back diversity and equity efforts, among other goals.

Countywide

Fairfax officials scramble to assess impact of Trump’s federal funding freeze

By James Jarvis and Angela Woolsey

Published January 28, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 28, 2025 at 6:31PM

The White House (via René DeAnda on Unsplash)

Update: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s order freezing federal grants and loans minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m.

Earlier: Fairfax County officials are scrambling to assess how a new federal directive halting financial aid programs might impact local services and capital projects.

Countywide

Metro readies for potential ridership boost from federal workers returning to offices

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 21, 2025 at 11:15AM

Inside a Metro train car (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro has the capacity to accommodate federal workers ordered back to the office by the Trump administration, one top transit leader says.

President Donald Trump signed a slew of executive orders after his inauguration yesterday (Monday), including ones to eliminate telework options for all federal government employees, freeze hiring and terminate diversity initiatives.

Countywide

N. Va. leaders criticize possible return-to-work edict for federal employees

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 16, 2024 at 11:15AM

Work from home (via Chris Montgomery/Unsplash)

A number of regional leaders are pushing back on the incoming Trump administration’s goal of having federal workers quickly return to offices five days a week.

Despite concerns about the impact of work-from-home patterns on local transit and the commercial office sector, requiring federal workers to be back in the office full-time brought concerns from speakers at a recent Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) forum.

News

Federal cybersecurity contractor to expand Herndon operations

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 4, 2024 at 2:30PM

AttainX's headquarters are in the Hallmark Building offices at 13873 Park Center Road in Herndon (via Google Maps)

A Herndon-based cybersecurity company is planning to ramp up its local operations.

Buoyed by recent Department of Defense contracts, AttainX will invest $175,000 and create 32 new jobs to expand its operations in Fairfax County, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced today (Wednesday).

Countywide

Fairfax officials may seek common ground with Trump on keeping federal workers in region

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 3, 2024 at 9:00AM

The CIA headquarters at Langley seen from the air (staff photo)

Fairfax officials have promised resistance to Trump administration policies that conflict with their values.

But when it comes to keeping the federal workforce rooted in the local area, they may try another tack: flattery, or at least finding common ground.

News

Fairfax leaders still eager to see FBI HQ relocated to Springfield

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 2, 2024 at 9:00AM

The current FBI headquarters in D.C. (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County leaders have not given up hope that Northern Virginia will ultimately land the new FBI headquarters.

As part of their 2025 legislative package slated for adoption tomorrow (Tuesday), county supervisors are reiterating their call to put the facility in Springfield, rather than a parcel in Greenbelt, Maryland, that the federal government selected last year.

Countywide

Metro officials eye impacts of return-to-office push by incoming Trump administration

By Scott McCaffrey

Published November 26, 2024 at 3:45PM

Commuters wait for a train at the McLean Metro station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

It’s something that hasn’t been seen in nearly five years: A large percentage of the federal workforce exclusively back in the office — with many using Metro to get there.

But the incoming Trump administration has signaled it plans a major back-to-the-office push, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) leaders are watching carefully to see how it plays out.