White House Proposes National NDA for Federal Employees, Sparking Debate

OPM proposes a government-wide nondisclosure agreement for federal employees to curb unauthorized disclosures and protect confidential information; agencies could choose to apply the NDA to onboarding and current staff, with civil and criminal penalties for violations, but it would not affect legally protected whistleblower disclosures; unions and critics warn it could chill candor and silence employees, as the rule enters a 30-day public comment period.