President Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to sell federal properties in Northern California, including the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building and a historic structure at 50 United Nations Plaza. The administration argues this will reduce maintenance costs, opting to lease office space for federal workers instead.
Critics, including former Rep. Jackie Speier, see the move as political retaliation, particularly against Democrats in California. Speier also questions the financial logic, suggesting leasing space could end up being more expensive. Another property on the list is a federal building in San Bruno housing national immigration archives, named after Rep. Leo Ryan.
Trump’s executive order also targets the Presidio Trust, which manages Presidio Park in San Francisco, aiming to reduce the federal government by eliminating “unnecessary” agencies. The Presidio Trust, financially self-sustaining since 2013, vowed to continue operations as usual and comply with reporting requirements.
The order has drawn criticism from local officials, including Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Scott Wiener, who defended the Trust’s legal protections. Concerns also arose about unspent funds for Presidio maintenance, and local residents fear the loss of park space in San Francisco.
