The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced that it has saved $55 billion by terminating leases for 2.3 million square feet of federal office space. The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to reduce the size of the federal government and eliminate waste.
DOGE said the savings were achieved through various methods, including fraud detection, contract cancellations, workforce reductions, and asset sales. The department updates its data twice a week, with current total savings reaching $144,574,545 as of February 17.
The General Services Administration (GSA) has also been cutting federal property, planning to sell half of the managed property it oversees. This move is in line with Trump’s goal of reducing government size and eliminating unnecessary personnel.
Earlier reports showed that regional managers for the GSA received orders to terminate leases on all federal offices nationwide. The decision has resulted in some agencies moving to new spaces, closing offices, or staying in leased buildings until terminations take effect.
The Trump administration’s efforts to cut federal spending have led to mass layoffs and budget cuts across various government agencies. As of September, the GSA owned and leased over 363 million square feet of space in 8,397 buildings across the country.
Critics note that lease terminations are likely to be a surprise for building owners, who typically negotiate lease terms up to 24 months before expiration. The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has expressed concerns about how to justify and continue operations at affected locations.
The Trump administration’s continued efforts to reduce government size and eliminate waste are expected to lead to further layoffs and budget cuts, with defense agencies likely to be among the next targets.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-cuts-leases-million-square-feet-federal-property-full-list-2033023