In a sweeping effort to curb government bloat and rein in reckless spending, the Trump administration has announced plans to sell 443 federal properties across 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Among the high-profile buildings on the chopping block are the headquarters of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the General Services Administration (GSA). This bold initiative, which includes iconic structures like the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building in San Francisco and the Dick Cheney Federal Building in Wyoming, aims to save taxpayers over $430 million annually by eliminating maintenance and operational costs tied to underutilized or vacant spaces.
The move, spearheaded by the GSA, is part of President Trump’s broader agenda to streamline federal operations, reduce the government’s real estate footprint, and restore fiscal responsibility to a system long plagued by inefficiency and waste. With the federal government owning nearly 80 million square feet of non-core assets—equivalent to twelve Pentagons—this plan represents a rare opportunity to dismantle the bureaucratic excess that has burdened American taxpayers for decades.
A historic reckoning with government waste
The federal government’s sprawling real estate portfolio has long been a symbol of its unchecked growth and inefficiency. For years, agencies have accumulated properties that serve little to no purpose, costing taxpayers billions in upkeep and maintenance. The GSA, tasked with managing federal real estate, has classified these 443 properties as “non-core assets,” signaling that they are no longer essential to government operations.
“We are identifying buildings and facilities that are not core to government operations. Selling ensures that taxpayer dollars are no longer spent on vacant or underutilized federal spaces,” the GSA stated on its website.
This is not the first time a U.S. administration has attempted to address the issue of government waste. In 2013, the Obama administration launched the “Freeze the Footprint” initiative, which aimed to halt the growth of federal real estate. However, critics argue that the program failed to make a significant dent in the problem, as it lacked the aggressive approach needed to truly downsize the government’s holdings.
The Trump administration’s plan, by contrast, takes a far more assertive stance. By targeting high-profile properties like the J. Edgar Hoover Building (FBI headquarters) and the Frances Perkins Building (Department of Labor), the administration is sending a clear message: no agency is exempt from scrutiny, and no property is too sacred to be sold if it no longer serves the public good.
The staggering scale of the sell-off
The sheer size of the federal government’s real estate portfolio is staggering. The 443 properties slated for sale span nearly 80 million square feet, an area larger than many small cities. Among the most notable properties on the list are:
• J. Edgar Hoover Building (FBI Headquarters): A symbol of federal law enforcement, this iconic structure in Washington, D.C., has long been criticized for its outdated design and exorbitant maintenance costs.
• Nancy Pelosi Federal Building: Named after the former House Speaker, this San Francisco property is emblematic of the government’s penchant for naming buildings after political figures.
• Dick Cheney Federal Building: Located in Wyoming, this property underscores the federal government’s reach into even the most remote corners of the country.
The GSA has also included its own headquarters in the disposal plan, a move that highlights the administration’s commitment to leading by example. By putting its own house on the market, the GSA is demonstrating that no agency is above the need for reform.
A step toward restoring trust in government
For decades, Americans have watched as their tax dollars were squandered on bloated bureaucracies and unnecessary real estate holdings. The federal government’s inability to manage its own assets has eroded public trust and fueled widespread cynicism about its ability to operate efficiently.
By selling off these properties, the Trump administration is taking a critical step toward restoring that trust. The projected savings of $430 million annually represent more than just a financial windfall; they are a tangible demonstration of the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
“This is about more than just saving money,” said one administration official. “It’s about showing the American people that their government can be lean, efficient, and accountable.”
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.