Judge Blocks USDA Reorganization and Office Closures

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria issued a stay blocking the United States Department of Agriculture from proceeding with a reorganization plan led by Secretary Brooke Rollins. The plan involved relocating approximately 2,600 employees and closing various offices, including the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Prince George's County, Maryland. Judge Chhabria ruled that the agency likely violated a congressional directive in the fiscal 2026 spending bill that prohibited the reprogramming of funds for such efforts.

The injunction affects several agencies, including the Forest Service, Agricultural Research Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Rural Development. However, the ruling excludes relocations and closures within the National Capital Region of Washington, D.C. The USDA argued the restructuring was necessary to improve facility conditions and move staff closer to farmers through five regional hubs, while the administration claimed existing facilities were outdated and expensive.

The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of federal employee unions, nonprofits, and local leaders, including Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy. Opponents argued the closures would disrupt critical conservation research and cause significant staffing losses. In Maryland specifically, the ruling preserves 1,000 jobs and prevents a projected $450 million loss in gross domestic product. The stay remains active until December 11, when current government funding expires, unless Congress intervenes.