In a major win for Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland, a federal judge has officially blocked federal efforts to move the FBI’s new headquarters into Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Building. The decision clears the path back to the long-awaited, congressionally authorized site in Greenbelt, Maryland.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that the General Services Administration (GSA) and the FBI exceeded their statutory authority and acted “not in accordance with law” when attempting to abandon the Greenbelt selection. The court also found that redirecting $555 million in previously appropriated federal funds toward the Reagan Building move was arbitrary and capricious.
Judge Chuang emphasized that Congress specifically mandated a site selection from three designated suburban locations (Greenbelt or Landover, Maryland, or Springfield, Virginia). As a result, executive agencies cannot unilaterally select an unauthorized location without new legislation from Congress.
The legal challenge was filed jointly by the State of Maryland and Prince George’s County to prevent the diversion of federal resources and preserve over a decade of local planning.
Local Leaders Celebrate a Decade of Hard Work
State and county officials expressed strong support for the ruling, framing it as a well-deserved victory for Prince George’s County after years of advocacy.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown highlighted the dedication required to secure the site:
“Maryland and Prince George’s County committed more than a decade of work to earn the FBI headquarters and pledged hundreds of millions of dollars. By blocking the unlawful attempt to move the FBI to the Reagan Building and divert the funds Congress set aside for this project, the Court has cleared the path back to Greenbelt.”
“This victory is about more than a building—it is about ensuring that when Congress makes a decision, the Federal Government cannot simply ignore it… Now, the jobs, investment, and opportunity Marylanders deserve are within reach.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore similarly emphasized the importance of delivering the modern facility federal law enforcement deserves, stating that it is time to move forward with building the world-class headquarters in Prince George’s County.
The Pushback from Federal Officials
The federal response to the ruling remains contentious. In a statement following the decision, an FBI spokesperson criticized the court’s intervention:
“This is not the first time courts have tried to undermine the administration in its goal to make government more cost-effective for American taxpayers. The court has chosen to impermissibly intervene for political reasons. This FBI is mission focused and will continue the best course of action to meet the needs of law enforcement.”
Despite federal pushback, the court’s injunction permanently halts any further steps to relocate the bureau to the Reagan Building or spend designated funds on the D.C. facility.
What’s Next for Greenbelt and PG County?
Replacing the deteriorating J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C.—which has housed the FBI since 1974 and no longer meets modern security or operational standards—has been a priority for over 15 years.
With the court siding with Maryland and Prince George’s County, the Greenbelt site stands as the primary location for the multi-billion-dollar project. If constructed, the campus is set to bring thousands of jobs, major infrastructure improvements, and sustained economic growth directly to Prince George’s County.
