Approximately 1,600 federal General Services Administration (GSA) employees were relocated from their offices on F Street in Washington, D.C., to the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building, roughly two blocks away. Employees say the new federal office has a rat infestation, collapsed bathroom ceilings and discolored drinking water that must run for five to 10 seconds before it becomes clear.
Federal workers have faced sweeping changes since January 2025, when reforms associated with Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began reshaping the government workforce. The initiative effectively eliminated tens of thousands of federal jobs and required many remaining employees to return to in-person work, while some agencies adopted zero-based budgeting. The GSA—which oversees federal technology services and government real estate—was among the agencies affected early by DOGE. Along with significant layoffs, the agency announced plans to sell hundreds of federal buildings. After a year of workforce reductions, the GSA later said it planned to hire approximately 400 employees.
“We’ve all been through a lot, but this finally made us understand that they don’t care about us,” said one GSA employee, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the press. “We’re wondering what else could break. Do we really need to inspect the ceiling before using the bathroom? Can we trust that the water is safe to drink?”
Provided by GSA staff
Photos obtained by WIRED show a men’s restroom on the third floor covered in ceiling debris, including a large hole in the ceiling. The images also show a dead rat caught in a trap. Federal officials said the presence of rodents was not “completely shocking,” noting that pests are reportedly common in some government buildings. However, employees said the damaged ceiling was the issue that pushed concerns over the condition of the building to a new level. Signs posted in the office instruct workers filling water bottles to let the water run for five to 10 seconds without the bottle underneath and to wait until the water runs clear.
The GSA and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) did not respond to requests for comment about the building’s conditions, including the reported rodent infestation, ceiling damage and water quality concerns.
Provided by GSA staff
Source: www.wired.com