A US judge on Monday blocked plans to move the FBI's headquarters to a federal office building in Washington, finding that President Donald Trump's administration illegally tossed out a previously approved plan to build a new facility nearby in Maryland. The ruling is the latest development in a years-long battle over where to house the main office for the nation's premier law enforcement agency. A site in Greenbelt, Maryland, was selected during former President Joe Biden's tenure, but Trump appointees sought to reverse that decision last year in favour of repurposing the Ronald Reagan Building, a federal office complex a few blocks from the FBI's existing headquarters.
US District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, an appointee of President Barack Obama, ruled that the move was “not in accordance with law,” and blocked the Trump administration from moving the FBI to the Reagan building, renovating it for the FBI or repurposing funds. This FBI is mission focused and will continue the best course of action to meet the needs of law enforcement.” The suit was brought by the state of Maryland and Prince George's County.
Edgar Hoover Building, was dedicated in 1975. Proponents of moving the headquarters have said the brutalist-style building, where nets surround the facility to protect pedestrians from falling debris, has fallen into disrepair. The Maryland location was selected over nearby Virginia following an intense competition between the two states.
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