Federal personnel at USDA headquarters ordered to work off-site to make space for soldiers participating in an upcoming military procession within the headquarters building.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that its South Building will be used for an upcoming Army parade, scheduled for June 14. The event, which is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, will house soldiers who are part of the Army's 250th anniversary celebration and coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.
In preparation for the parade, access to the USDA South Building, completed in 1936 and once the largest office building in the world, will be restricted to essential employees from June 1 through June 20. This means that maximum telework is recommended for individuals who work in the USDA's South Building.
Some USDA employees have been notified where they are being assigned to report for in-person work, with a compliance deadline of June 2. The Agriculture Department has directed these employees to work remotely for three weeks due to the use of the building for the parade.
The USDA is proud to support this historic Army parade, having provided space for similar events during past inaugurations. The Department has also assured that it has "more than adequate capabilities" to accommodate the soldiers for the upcoming parade.
However, the parade's staging in USDA buildings has not been without controversy. The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) has asked parts of its staff in Washington, D.C. to work from home for the next three weeks due to the use of a building by soldiers for the parade.
It's worth noting that the Trump administration has largely ended telework flexibility for federal employees, a policy that has been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This decision has raised questions about the practicality and fairness of the current arrangements.
In addition to the parade, the USDA is also planning to offload one of its D.C. headquarters as part of a relocation plan. The details of this plan are yet to be announced.
Eric Katz contributed to the report.
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