(The Center Square) – Sparks are flying once again over the plan to build the new FBI headquarters in Maryland, with President Donald Trump saying he plans to keep the headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The president said he would “stop” building the new FBI headquarters in Maryland, falsely claiming the site is “three hours away” from its current location.
Trump also accused Maryland of being a “liberal state,” but that it had “no bearing” on his decision.
“We’re going to stop it. I’m not going to let that happen,” the president said during a Friday briefing at the Department of Justice. “We’re going to build another big FBI building right where it is.”
Trump’s announcement was met with opposition from Maryland leaders. The state’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and Republican Rep. Andy Harris released a joint statement defending the Greenbelt, Md., site.
A release from them says in part, “The FBI needs a new headquarters that meets its mission. The GSA selected Greenbelt for the new, consolidated FBI headquarters based on the fact that it is the best site and it offers the lowest price and the best value to the taxpayers. What’s more, it ensures that the FBI can move to a facility that will finally meet its mission and security needs as soon as possible. We will continue working to bring the headquarters to Maryland, following the final decision that was made to do so in 2023.”
In 2012, Congress authorized the General Services Administration to select a new site for the FBI headquarters after years of complaints regarding security, technological capabilities and “deteriorating infrastructure.” Finalists for sites were Greenbelt and Landover in Maryland, and Springfield in Virginia.
The sites were evaluated to determine whether they met the FBI’s mission, transportation, adaptability, equity and cost.
The selection process has been fraught with debate and controversy.
Greenbelt was selected despite a unanimous decision to build the new headquarters in Springfield by a site selection panel, which included members of the FBI. Conflict of interest questions arose tied to a member of the site selection authority and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that owned the Greenbelt property.
Supporters of the Springfield location expressed frustration with the selection criteria being changed “at the 11th hour,” referring to changes the agency made to elevate equity and cost in the decision, thus reducing the mission of the bureau as well as transportation.
The president, since assuming office for his second term, has expressed interest in relocating several federal agencies to other parts of the country.