Trump Proposes Massive NDA Crackdown for All Federal Workers

The Trump administration is taking a bold step to tighten the grip on government information. A new proposal released this week suggests a government-wide mandate requiring all federal workers to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The goal is to stop the flow of sensitive information to journalists and prevent high-profile leaks that officials say are disrupting operations and eroding trust across the government.

The proposal, issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), isn't just for current employees. It would apply to both new and existing workers, and even former employees would need written permission from an authorized agency official before speaking to the press about anything deemed confidential. The draft’s definition of what counts as confidential is incredibly broad, covering everything from proprietary data to pre-decisional or deliberative materials that haven't been made public yet.

While individual agencies would have some discretion on whether to implement the NDAs, the administration believes a blanket policy will create consistency and better inform employees of their obligations. OPM Director Scott Kupor compared the move to practices in the private sector, stating that the federal government shouldn't be held to a lower standard when handling sensitive material.

However, the stakes are high for those who might break these rules. The draft suggests that unauthorized disclosures could lead to civil or even criminal penalties. This sweeping proposal is seen by many as a direct attempt to control the narrative and prevent internal government discussions from reaching the public eye, sparking a debate over the balance between security and transparency.

['#TrumpNDA', '#FederalWorkers', '#MediaLeaks']