U.S. federal agencies can initiate civil rights investigations of universities and may use enforcement tools such as freezing federal funding or imposing fines.
November 14, 2025
high
process
Describes durable enforcement mechanisms available to federal agencies when investigating alleged civil rights violations at higher education institutions.
As of 2025, no U.S. federal agencies and only two U.S. states track the number of school crossing guards injured or killed each year.
October 31, 2025
high
temporal
Assessment of official data collection practices for crossing guard injuries and fatalities.
During U.S. federal government shutdowns, federal agencies typically send home (furlough) workers whose roles are not considered essential.
October 07, 2025
high
process
Describes common administrative action taken by federal agencies during funding lapses.
U.S. federal agencies can centrally modify or control employee email settings, including out-of-office autoreplies, via agency administrative or IT systems.
October 05, 2025
medium
operational
Administrative control over agency-managed communication systems can alter messages sent in employees' names.
Federal ethics laws can restrict partisan political messaging in official government communications, and legal experts have asserted that partisan messaging in agency communications may violate those laws.
October 05, 2025
medium
legal
Legal interpretation regarding the permissibility of partisan content in official government communications.
Employees classified as "essential" in U.S. federal agencies typically continue to perform critical functions during shutdownsâexamples include operating spacecraft, treating patients in clinical trials, and caring for laboratory animalsâbut those employees often work without pay until funding is restored.
October 01, 2025
high
temporal
Explains the role and payment status of federally designated essential personnel during funding lapses.
A 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump directed U.S. federal agencies to deprioritize the use of disparate impact liability in enforcement.
April 01, 2025
high
policy
Federal policy directive affecting how agencies apply the disparate impact legal theory.
On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing U.S. federal agencies to pursue policies that advance equity.
January 20, 2021
high
temporal
Presidential executive order establishing a policy directive for federal agencies to advance equity.
Trellix (formerly FireEye) was compromised during the 2020 SolarWinds cyberattack, an incident that also affected numerous U.S. federal agencies.
December 01, 2020
high
temporal
Historical precedent of a cybersecurity vendor being breached during the 2020 SolarWinds supply-chain attack
During U.S. federal government funding shutdowns, agencies can furlough nonessential civilian employees, placing those employees on unpaid leave.
high
procedural
Describes a recurring administrative response used by federal agencies during funding gaps.
Federal workers who are furloughed or required to work without pay during a government shutdown are entitled to receive back pay once agencies reopen.
high
legal/policy
U.S. federal employment policy regarding pay for employees affected by agency closures or unpaid emergency work.
U.S. law requires federal agency employees to act consistently with the President's lawful executive orders and policy priorities.
high
legal
Legal principle referenced in debates over questions asked of prospective federal employees.
Federal records held by U.S. agencies can be requested through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and requesters or watchdog groups can sue to obtain records if access is denied.
high
descriptive
Description of the FOIA process as a mechanism for obtaining government documents.