WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — During a speech at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, President Donald Trump said he plans to keep the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., despite long-time plans to move the facility to Maryland.
“They were going to build an FBI headquarters three hours away, in Maryland, a liberal state, but that has no bearing on what I’m about to say,” Trump began, bringing up the move. Greenbelt, where the facility is slated, is actually about 13 miles from D.C., making the trip about an hour (depending on traffic).
“But, we’re going to stop it [the move], not gonna let that happen. We are gonna build another big FBI building right where it is,” he continued.
Given the state of the dilapidated headquarters in D.C., FBI officials were looking to move for more than a decade. In November 2023, the Biden administration picked Greenbelt as the site of the new headquarters, beating nearby Virginia, which was also vying for the site.
Trump said he has different reasons for wanting to keep the headquarters in D.C., including keeping the FBI and the DOJ “near each other” since the departments “work together.”
“So how can you have one that’s three hours away?” he explained.
“If for no other reason, we like having law enforcement walking the streets of our Capital,” he added.
After Trump’s comments, Maryland lawmakers spoke out against the idea, some calling it “reckless.”
“This would be a reckless move that endangers our national security. The FBI HQ in DC is literally falling apart,” said Gov. Wes Moore (D), in a post on X. “Maryland was selected as the best possible site to build a new headquarters because we already have the best national security assets, and we meet the FBI’s mission.”
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) said Trump needs to stop “playing games” with national security.
“The FBI needs a new headquarters that meets its mission. Maryland was selected because it was the best site and the best value for taxpayers,” Alsobrooks said, in part.
In addition, Alsobrooks and Moore joined Democratic leaders from across the state in opposition.
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.”
Gov. Moore, Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Glenn Ivey, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, Johnny Olszewski, Sens. Chris Van Hollen, Alsobrooks
