Dave Jamieson, labor reporter for the HuffPost, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Trump administration's efforts to relocate thousands of U.S. Department of Agriculture workers out of Washington, D.C.
In late July, the USDA announced it would relocate about 2,600 of its 4,600 employees in the D.C. area to regional hubs such as Kansas City, Raleigh and Salt Lake City. Jamieson said USDA officials expect only 50 to 70 percent of the workforce to relocate, implying hundreds or thousands may quit instead. This follows a 2019 move that relocated two USDA agencies to Kansas City, which Jamieson claimed undermined USDA research capabilities. The American Federation of Government Employees opposes this new relocation plan, arguing it's an attempt to shrink the agency and push out workers.
Jamieson noted the administration's portrayal of Washington, D.C., as "bureaucrat bloat," is misleading. He said 90 percent of USDA employees already work outside the capital region. The D.C.-area USDA workforce has already shrunk and he explained how relocations often reduce productivity and cause "brain drain" as experienced staff leave. A previous USDA research arm relocation still hampers the agency years later, Jamieson claimed. The push to move workers aligns with broader administration efforts to undermine government scientific and economic expertise, he added.
Federal workers, Jamieson said, are weary after months of rapid changes, with thousands taking early retirement or deferred resignation. Many employees are trying to keep their heads down and survive this period. However, he explained that recent court rulings have largely supported the President’s ability to reshape the workforce, dashing hopes that the legal system might constrain these efforts. Jamieson said the pace of change has slowed, but the administration continues to find ways to make federal employment difficult.
Listen to the full episode for more insights on the USDA relocation plan and its impacts.