GSA Employees Relocated to Substandard Federal Building After Agency Cuts

About 1,600 federal workers from the General Services Administration (GSA) were moved from their F-Street office in Washington, DC, to the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building two blocks away. Employees report that the new space, which also houses staff from the Office of Personnel Management, suffers from a mouse infestation, a bathroom ceiling that has caved in, and drinking water that must run for five to ten seconds before it clears.

Wired Magazine

Since January 2025, Elon Musk’s self-styled Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has overseen sweeping changes across the federal workforce. DOGE’s actions include firing tens of thousands of workers, imposing mandatory in-person schedules, and, in some agencies, requiring zero-based budgeting. GSA, which manages federal IT services and real-estate assets, was an early target: the agency cut a large portion of its staff and announced plans to sell hundreds of federal office buildings. A year after those cuts, GSA said it would hire roughly 400 new workers.

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The relocated staff describe multiple infrastructure failures. The building’s restroom ceiling has collapsed in places, creating safety hazards. Rodent activity is evident throughout the office areas. The municipal water supply is cloudy, and employees must let the tap run for several seconds before the water appears clear, raising concerns about water quality.

Wired Magazine

The move has heightened anxiety among the workforce. An unnamed GSA employee expressed frustration, noting that the deteriorating conditions underscore a perception that agency leadership “doesn’t care about us.” The combination of staffing cuts, mandatory on-site work, and substandard facilities has left employees uncertain about the stability of their work environment.

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GSA’s announced hiring of about 400 workers signals an attempt to replenish its ranks after the earlier reductions. The agency has not detailed timelines for the new hires or any planned remediation of the building’s structural and health issues.

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