The Trump administration is planning to sell the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, home to Voice of America (VOA) and other agencies.
- The building, located near the National Mall, is part of a list of high-profile government properties marked for sale.
- The sale is part of an effort to downsize the federal government and shut down VOA and its sister networks.
- Other government-owned properties, including courthouses and lab facilities, are also being sold.
- Legal battles over the future of VOA continue, with funding issues and journalist firings under debate.
The Trump administration has announced plans to sell the historic Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, which has served as the headquarters for Voice of America (VOA) and other federal agencies. This decision is part of a broader push to reduce the size of the federal government and potentially shut down VOA and its sister networks, such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia. The building, located just south of the National Mall and two blocks from the Capitol, is a significant property due to its location and historical importance.
What is the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building?
The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building is a massive structure, spanning over a million square feet. It has been the home of VOA, its parent agency the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and the Department of Health and Human Services. The building’s prime location near the National Mall and the Capitol makes it a highly valued property. However, it is now on the list of government properties marked for “accelerated disposal,” according to recent reports.
Why is the Trump administration selling the building?
The decision to sell the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size of the federal government. This includes plans to shut down VOA and its sister networks, which have been operational for decades, providing news and information to international audiences. The administration, influenced by billionaire Elon Musk, aims to scale back government operations, and selling off properties like this building is a key step in that process.
What does this mean for the future of Voice of America?
The possible sale of the VOA headquarters comes at a time when the agency is already facing an uncertain future. The Trump administration has been working to defund VOA and its sister networks, and there have been legal challenges to these efforts. A federal judge has temporarily halted some of the administration’s plans, but an appeals court has allowed Trump to withhold funding while legal battles continue. Additionally, a group of VOA journalists is challenging their recent firings in court.
Other government properties being sold
The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building is not the only government property being sold. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has listed several high-profile properties for sale, including federal courthouses in Los Angeles and Cleveland, a Food Safety and Inspection Service lab in St. Louis, and the Housing and Urban Development headquarters in Washington, D.C. These sales are part of a broader effort to reduce the federal government’s real estate holdings and shrink its overall footprint.
The controversy over the VOA lease
The decision to sell the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building has been in the works for some time. Last year, the Biden administration negotiated a 15-year lease for the building, but senior Trump adviser Kari Lake called the lease “obscenely expensive” and canceled it in March. This move was seen as part of the administration’s broader effort to reduce government spending and downsize federal operations.
The implications of selling the VOA headquarters
The sale of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building has significant implications for the future of Voice of America and the other agencies housed there. If the building is sold, VOA and its sister networks may be forced to relocate or even shut down entirely. This would mark the end of an era for an agency that has been a trusted source of news and information for audiences around the world.
The legal battles continue
While the Trump administration moves forward with plans to sell the VOA headquarters and shut down the agency, legal battles over the future of VOA continue. A federal judge has temporarily paused the administration’s efforts to defund the agency, but an appeals court has allowed Trump to withhold funding while the legal challenges are resolved. Additionally, a group of VOA journalists who were recently fired is fighting their terminations in court.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s plan to sell the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building and shut down Voice of America is part of a broader effort to downsize the federal government and reduce its real estate holdings. The sale of this historic building, along with other high-profile government properties, marks a significant shift in how the federal government operates. As legal battles over the future of VOA continue, the fate of this important agency remains uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.