President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are making significant changes to federal government operations by targeting office space managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). Regional managers at GSA were instructed to terminate leases on approximately 7,500 federal offices nationwide, raising questions about compliance with Trump’s return-to-office mandate for federal employees. The move aligns with the administration’s goal of reducing office space due to ongoing efforts to downsize the federal workforce.

Established in 1949 by President Harry S. Truman, the GSA serves as the federal government’s real estate manager, overseeing property for various agencies. Currently, the GSA manages workspace for over 1 million federal civilian workers, including historic buildings and government purchases from commercial vendors. With ownership and leasing of millions of square feet across thousands of buildings nationwide, the GSA plays a crucial role in federal operations.

Under the direction of Nicole Hollander, embedded at GSA headquarters, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency is spearheading efforts to terminate leases on federal offices. The initiative aims to end up to 300 leases daily, emphasizing the prioritization of lease terminations. Trump has also emphasized the promotion of “beautiful federal civic architecture” through GSA activities.

This move is not the first clash between Trump and the GSA, as he initially declined to sign an agreement during the transition period, delaying access to secure government offices. However, a later agreement with President Joe Biden’s administration facilitated a smooth transition. Overall, the GSA’s role in managing federal office space is central to Trump and Musk’s efforts to streamline government operations and real estate management.