US News

Trump Administration Aims to Sell Hundreds of ‘Non-Essential’ Federal Properties


The federal government has announced that the majority of the identified properties are functionally outdated.

On Tuesday, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) unveiled a catalog of “non-core” federal buildings and facilities that are under review for disposal or sale.

Initially, GSA listed over 440 non-core federal buildings and facilities, but that tally was quickly revised to 320 properties, excluding those located in Washington.
Subsequently, GSA took down the list, and the website now states that the list is “coming soon.” The Epoch Times has requested a comment from the agency.
The original list included notable buildings in Washington such as the FBI Headquarters, the Department of Labor, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the American Red Cross. Additional properties included the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building and the Old Post Office Building.

Properties listed on the revised catalog include the Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building in San Francisco, the Ronald H. Brown U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, the Rosa Parks Federal Building in Michigan, and the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building in Illinois.

According to GSA, these properties are deemed “not essential to government operations,” and selling them would ensure that “taxpayer funds are not wasted on vacant or underused federal spaces.”

“Selling these assets helps eliminate costly maintenance and allows us to reinvest in quality work environments that support agency missions,” the agency noted on its website.

In a statement about the intended disposal of non-core assets, GSA emphasized that many of the properties listed are functionally obsolete and mainly consist of office space.

“Many decades of funding shortfalls have led to a situation where many buildings have become functionally obsolete and unsuitable for the federal workforce,” it remarked. “Funding solutions that address these long-standing issues are no longer a viable expectation.”

The agency reported that the initial list of over 440 buildings comprises nearly 80 million rentable square feet and signifies more than $8.3 billion in necessary recapitalization.

GSA indicated it would strategically divest non-core assets from government ownership to save around $430 million in yearly operational costs.

“GSA’s proactive steps to eliminate non-core assets tap into the private sector, enhance efficiencies for our agency clients, and best serve local communities,” it stated.

The agency also highlighted certain core assets that are essential for critical government functions, including courthouses, land ports of entry, and facilities vital to national defense and law enforcement. It plans to retain these assets to meet ongoing needs.

This initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to eradicate waste and unnecessary government expenditure.

Since his inauguration on January 20, the Trump administration has enacted extensive executive measures across various federal agencies aimed at curbing federal spending and reducing the workforce, particularly among those involved in the previous administration’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, aside from those engaged in essential duties.

One of the executive orders signed by President Donald Trump targeted advancing the government’s cost-cutting initiatives, led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group chaired by Elon Musk.

This order instructs departments to immediately review all contracts and grants for instances of “waste, fraud, and abuse” and to justify and publicly disclose government payments and travel expenses when feasible. Additionally, the General Services Administration will formulate a strategy for disposing of any unnecessary government-owned or leased real estate assets.

Furthermore, another executive order, signed on February 19, requires federal agencies to collaborate with DOGE to eliminate any regulations that contradict the Trump administration’s agenda. It directs all agency heads to cooperate with DOGE and the Office of Management and Budget to scrutinize all regulations in their domains to ensure compliance with the law and the president’s directives. The order also asks them to prioritize any regulations that incur substantial costs.

Jacob Burg and The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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