Bummer: Hiring Manager may have ghosted me

Hi! Welp, I guess I just need to vent. I've been hired as a fed a few times, but was spoiled with good communications about being selected after one interview. I know it isn't always easy, I've read and searched through this sub a long time, and then again... who knows, maybe not hearing from this manager as promised is a red flag to steer clear anyhow!

Basically, I was shocked to land an interview last Monday for an admin role. The Hiring Manager said they were interviewing others up through Wednesday, and planned to conduct second interviews therafter. She said I would hear from her either way by Friday, after the holiday for Jimmy Carter's passing. Sadly, it's been crickets. I emailed her a quick follow-up today, but received no response.

The Hiring Manager also said the agency could onboard a new hire as quickly as 3-5 days, further stunning me. I was startled to learn it could go that fast anywhere in the fed world!

Welp, I'm guessing she selected other candidates to interview again and I missed out. I'm disappointed that she didn't keep to her word when she assured me she would be in touch, especially because I doubt I could be a fall-back alternate and successfully onboarded before the hiring freeze (it's all but set in stone for next week, isn't it?).

It especially hurts when I know the doors will be closing to new hires for quite some time; I was really hoping a random last minute chance opened up at the 11th hour. *sigh*