As President Trump and Elon Musk drive sweeping changes in the federal government, niche news outlets focused on federal employees are breaking major stories and experiencing record readership.
The Federal News Network (FNN) and Government Executive (GovExec), along with its affiliated sites NextGov/FCW, Defense One, Washington Technology, and Route Fifty, have seen unprecedented traffic spikes. FNN’s deputy editor Jared Serbu reported that website visits have surged five to six times higher than usual, while GovExec has recorded its highest traffic ever, surpassing even the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These specialized publications focus on internal agency shifts, labor relations, and management changes—critical topics that mainstream media often overlook. Their deep sourcing has allowed them to break significant stories on Musk’s growing influence at the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal hiring freeze’s selective exemptions, and rising pressures on government employees to resign.
GovExec’s executive editor, Tanya Ballard Brown, emphasized their competitive edge: “We cover labor relations, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) every day—not just occasionally.” This dedication has led to exclusive reports, outpacing larger Washington-based outlets.
As restructuring intensifies, sources inside federal agencies are stepping forward, some for the first time. Frank Konkel, GovExec’s editor-in-chief, described how insiders who were previously hesitant are now coming “out of the woodwork” due to concerns about government stability.
With the government’s future in flux, these small but highly specialized newsrooms are proving indispensable, offering crucial insight into policy shifts that directly impact federal employees and the agencies they serve. Ballard Brown warned, however, that reporters must remain resilient: “The goal is to wear us down—so don’t get worn down.”
