Bend, OR – The Trump administration’s push to reduce federal expenditures has taken a significant step forward with plans to sell 10 federal buildings across Oregon, according to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These properties are part of a larger initiative that targets hundreds of federal assets across the country deemed “non-core” to government operations.
In total, the GSA has identified over 400 buildings nationwide, many of which are considered outdated or in need of costly repairs. These assets, which include office spaces and other federal properties, represent a considerable financial burden with more than $8.3 billion in needed recapitalization. As part of an effort to curb government spending, the Trump administration has made moves to sell these buildings, which have been deemed functionally obsolete.
Among the Oregon properties on the list are several key federal buildings, including the David J. Wheeler Federal Building in Baker City, the James A. Redden U.S. Courthouse in Medford, and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Building in Portland. The BPA is responsible for managing the majority of the Pacific Northwest’s power grid, and its building is one of several slated for sale. In addition to these properties, the GSA’s list includes the Eugene Federal Building, the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in Portland, and various warehouses in Troutdale and Medford.
These sales are part of a broader initiative by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal office created by President Donald Trump with the backing of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. DOGE has prioritized cutting unnecessary government spending, resulting in significant staff reductions across federal agencies. Thousands of federal workers have already lost their jobs as part of this effort, and the sale of these buildings is seen as another step in reducing the federal government’s financial footprint.
The plan has sparked criticism, particularly from Oregon’s senior senator, Ron Wyden, who voiced strong opposition to the proposal. Wyden expressed concerns about the potential long-term consequences of selling federal assets in Oregon, highlighting the impact such moves could have on critical services like the power grid, the court system, and constituent services.
“Given Donald Trump’s checkered legacy in the private sector of multiple bankruptcies and real estate deals gone awry, forgive me if I’m more than a little skeptical when that dubious record gets applied to the public sector,” Wyden said in a statement. He further criticized the administration’s handling of federal assets, noting that Oregon residents rely on these buildings for vital government functions.
In addition to the planned sales, DOGE has also announced the cancellation of 12 leases involving federal properties in Oregon, which amount to over $1.5 million annually in lease payments. Among the leases targeted for cancellation are those affecting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offices in Portland, Salem, and Medford, as well as a U.S. Forest Service office in Klamath Falls and a Federal Railroad Administration office in Bend.
The Trump administration’s efforts to sell federal buildings and cancel leases are part of a broader agenda to reduce government spending. However, the proposal has raised concerns among critics, who worry that the sales will undermine the stability and effectiveness of federal operations in Oregon and beyond.
As the debate continues, the future of these federal properties remains uncertain, with lawmakers and local leaders questioning whether the proposed moves will ultimately benefit taxpayers or harm essential government functions.
