News
December 5, 2024

Will Trump and Republicans Block the FBI Headquarters Move to Maryland?

Caroline Raffetto

WASHINGTON — The decade-long effort to relocate the FBI from its deteriorating headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., to a new facility outside the city could encounter obstacles next year.

President-elect Donald Trump and several key Republican figures in Congress have criticized the General Services Administration (GSA) for selecting Greenbelt, Maryland, as the new location over other contenders.

With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the funding for the new facility may be halted. GOP lawmakers may also demand the GSA restart the search process, alter its selection criteria, or potentially relocate the headquarters to other sites such as Alabama, within Washington, D.C., or to Springfield, Virginia, or Landover, Maryland.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the spending panel controlling GSA’s budget, expressed confidence that the issue was settled due to already allocated funding.

“We’re going to work very hard to make sure we keep the program on track,” Van Hollen said. “I think there’s a consensus that the FBI’s current headquarters does not meet the security requirements, does not meet the other requirements. So, from our perspective, a decision has been made and we will work hard to make sure it’s executed, implemented.”

Construction Funding and Appropriations

Congress approved $200 million for the headquarters project earlier this year as part of a larger government spending package, though future funding remains uncertain. The Senate Appropriations Committee, led by Democrats, proposed $375 million for construction in the GSA’s funding bill, which passed with bipartisan support. However, in January, when Republicans take control of the Senate, the bill could face revisions.

The Republican-led House version of the bill excludes funding for a new headquarters and requires the GSA to present a detailed plan to either maintain the current FBI headquarters or find another suitable location within Washington, D.C.

Discussions on the final version of the bill will likely continue early next year, as the GOP assumes full control of Congress and the White House.

Trump’s Hotel Concerns

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine remarked that Trump had previously hindered the move due to potential competition with his own hotel.

“If you just go by history, Trump didn’t want to put any money into a new FBI headquarters,” Kaine said. “He didn’t want that block that the FBI is on to be cleared and opened for a hotel that might compete with his own hotel.”

Trump’s former hotel, located in the old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue, was sold and is now a Waldorf Astoria, situated a block from the FBI headquarters.

Support for Greenbelt

Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer, the leading Democrat on the House panel that funds the GSA, strongly supports the Greenbelt site.

“There’s no doubt the Greenbelt location is the best site, both in terms of security and finances,” Hoyer said. “I’m going to continue to push that position. We need to get this done for the FBI, for the American people.”

The GSA has submitted a report to Congress regarding the project and is waiting for resolutions from congressional committees before proceeding with site acquisition and construction.

Inspector General’s Review

The GSA’s site selection process has been under review by its inspector general for over a year, which could complicate matters under Republican control.

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, expressed that he’s awaiting the inspector general's final evaluation before deciding on the next steps.

“I know people thought that it might come out in the spring. It didn’t,” Warner said. “The reports we’ve got is that they’re still doing the investigating, and let’s see what that says first.”

Hoyer, however, remains confident that the evaluation will not impact the Greenbelt location.

“I think everything was done absolutely as it should have been,” Hoyer said. “An argument was made by both sides in public on the merits of their sites.”

Concerns Over Site Selection Process

FBI Director Christopher Wray raised concerns about the transparency of the selection process, although he did not dispute the decision itself.

Trump has announced plans to appoint Kash Patel to lead the FBI, pending Wray's departure. The administration has yet to name a head for the GSA.

Bipartisan concerns over the GSA’s site selection have emerged, with House Oversight Chair James Comer and Representative Gerry Connolly pushing for a full investigation into the process, especially regarding the reversal of the expert panel’s unanimous recommendation.

“Congress created GSA in 1949 to increase the efficiency and economy of federal government operations — not least the procurement and use of property,” Comer and Connolly said. “To fulfill that mission, GSA must be fair and transparent in its operations. Its real estate dealings should consider only what is best for taxpayers and the Nation.”

News
December 5, 2024

Will Trump and Republicans Block the FBI Headquarters Move to Maryland?

Caroline Raffetto
Construction Statistics
Washington

WASHINGTON — The decade-long effort to relocate the FBI from its deteriorating headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., to a new facility outside the city could encounter obstacles next year.

President-elect Donald Trump and several key Republican figures in Congress have criticized the General Services Administration (GSA) for selecting Greenbelt, Maryland, as the new location over other contenders.

With Trump returning to the White House and Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the funding for the new facility may be halted. GOP lawmakers may also demand the GSA restart the search process, alter its selection criteria, or potentially relocate the headquarters to other sites such as Alabama, within Washington, D.C., or to Springfield, Virginia, or Landover, Maryland.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the spending panel controlling GSA’s budget, expressed confidence that the issue was settled due to already allocated funding.

“We’re going to work very hard to make sure we keep the program on track,” Van Hollen said. “I think there’s a consensus that the FBI’s current headquarters does not meet the security requirements, does not meet the other requirements. So, from our perspective, a decision has been made and we will work hard to make sure it’s executed, implemented.”

Construction Funding and Appropriations

Congress approved $200 million for the headquarters project earlier this year as part of a larger government spending package, though future funding remains uncertain. The Senate Appropriations Committee, led by Democrats, proposed $375 million for construction in the GSA’s funding bill, which passed with bipartisan support. However, in January, when Republicans take control of the Senate, the bill could face revisions.

The Republican-led House version of the bill excludes funding for a new headquarters and requires the GSA to present a detailed plan to either maintain the current FBI headquarters or find another suitable location within Washington, D.C.

Discussions on the final version of the bill will likely continue early next year, as the GOP assumes full control of Congress and the White House.

Trump’s Hotel Concerns

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine remarked that Trump had previously hindered the move due to potential competition with his own hotel.

“If you just go by history, Trump didn’t want to put any money into a new FBI headquarters,” Kaine said. “He didn’t want that block that the FBI is on to be cleared and opened for a hotel that might compete with his own hotel.”

Trump’s former hotel, located in the old Post Office building on Pennsylvania Avenue, was sold and is now a Waldorf Astoria, situated a block from the FBI headquarters.

Support for Greenbelt

Maryland Representative Steny Hoyer, the leading Democrat on the House panel that funds the GSA, strongly supports the Greenbelt site.

“There’s no doubt the Greenbelt location is the best site, both in terms of security and finances,” Hoyer said. “I’m going to continue to push that position. We need to get this done for the FBI, for the American people.”

The GSA has submitted a report to Congress regarding the project and is waiting for resolutions from congressional committees before proceeding with site acquisition and construction.

Inspector General’s Review

The GSA’s site selection process has been under review by its inspector general for over a year, which could complicate matters under Republican control.

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, expressed that he’s awaiting the inspector general's final evaluation before deciding on the next steps.

“I know people thought that it might come out in the spring. It didn’t,” Warner said. “The reports we’ve got is that they’re still doing the investigating, and let’s see what that says first.”

Hoyer, however, remains confident that the evaluation will not impact the Greenbelt location.

“I think everything was done absolutely as it should have been,” Hoyer said. “An argument was made by both sides in public on the merits of their sites.”

Concerns Over Site Selection Process

FBI Director Christopher Wray raised concerns about the transparency of the selection process, although he did not dispute the decision itself.

Trump has announced plans to appoint Kash Patel to lead the FBI, pending Wray's departure. The administration has yet to name a head for the GSA.

Bipartisan concerns over the GSA’s site selection have emerged, with House Oversight Chair James Comer and Representative Gerry Connolly pushing for a full investigation into the process, especially regarding the reversal of the expert panel’s unanimous recommendation.

“Congress created GSA in 1949 to increase the efficiency and economy of federal government operations — not least the procurement and use of property,” Comer and Connolly said. “To fulfill that mission, GSA must be fair and transparent in its operations. Its real estate dealings should consider only what is best for taxpayers and the Nation.”