Maryland Sues Trump Administration Over FBI Headquarters Relocation Decision

The state of Maryland and Prince George's County filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging plans to keep the FBI headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C. The legal action alleges the administration's decision unlawfully sabotages a multiyear collaborative effort to relocate the facility to Greenbelt. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, contends the administration plan would unlawfully divert funding that Congress specifically designated for the Greenbelt project and redirect it toward renovation of the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington for FBI use.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown stated the legal action seeks court intervention to stop the unlawful selection of the Reagan Building, prevent the diversion of congressionally appropriated funds, and ensure the federal government follows established law. Brown emphasized that the reversal of the decision to locate the FBI at Greenbelt is illegal because Congress allocated more than $1 billion specifically for the Greenbelt relocation project, not for the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington. The Reagan Building had not appeared on any potential site list until July 1, when it was unexpectedly announced as the new home for the FBI.

The legal challenge represents the latest development in an ongoing battle by state and county officials to bring the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt. According to the plaintiffs, the Greenbelt proposal was developed through more than a decade of careful study and debate, only to be reversed within weeks on what appears to be a presidential whim. The lawsuit argues this sudden reversal undermines years of collaborative planning and violates congressional funding directives. The case highlights significant questions about executive authority versus congressional appropriations power and raises concerns about proper procedure in major federal facility relocation decisions.

The legal action seeks judicial review of the administration's decision-making process and aims to enforce compliance with congressional funding allocations. The outcome could have broader implications for how federal agencies handle major facility relocations and whether executive branch decisions can override specific congressional funding designations. The case also underscores the economic development stakes for Prince George's County, which stood to benefit significantly from the FBI headquarters relocation to Greenbelt.