U.S. Government Streamlines Real Estate Following USDA Announcements

(Washington, D.C., February 25, 2026) – In a significant move towards reducing government expenses and enhancing operational efficiency, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside Deputy Secretary Stephen A. Vaden and General Services Administrator Edward C. Forst, unveiled plans to dispose of the South Building and Braddock Place. This initiative aims to return valuable resources to American taxpayers while adhering to the vision of President Donald J. Trump.

Protecting Taxpayer Interests

“This is a long overdue move to protect American taxpayer dollars from being wasted on expensive real estate inside the Washington, D.C. area when our government should be closer to the farmers and ranchers we serve,” stated Secretary Brooke Rollins. “With more than 85 percent of the South Building currently unoccupied and a staggering $1.6 billion backlog in deferred maintenance, it is unacceptable to impose these costs on taxpayers. Our commitment is to steward taxpayer dollars effectively while ensuring excellent service to American farmers.”

The Start of a Larger Reorganization Effort

Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden reinforced the administration’s strategy, saying, “President Trump has made it clear that his second term will focus on relocating the extensive federal bureaucracy to areas outside the National Capital Region. The previous administration burdened taxpayers with unnecessary expenses and maintained a massive, underutilized real estate footprint that the USDA budget could not sustain. Today’s announcement signifies the commencement of USDA’s broader reorganization, aligning our mission with our financial responsibilities to the American people.”

Transforming Federal Real Estate

According to GSA Administrator Edward Forst, “The GSA remains dedicated to fulfilling President Trump’s vision of reducing the cumbersome federal real estate portfolio. This initiative not only addresses fiscal drains and empty spaces but also turns them into economic opportunities. I commend Secretary Rollins and the USDA leadership for their proactive approach in meeting workforce needs while ensuring savings for taxpayers.”

A Thoughtful Reorganization Plan

Today marks the initiation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Reorganization Plan. Each stage will be executed thoughtfully, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks while considering the impacts on USDA employees, Congress, and accountability to American taxpayers.

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