White House Rebuts Claim It Sought Demolition of Four D.C. Federal Buildings

Overview

• Wright, a retired senior GSA official, alleged in a court declaration that the White House bypassed GSA to solicit bids to analyze and recommend demolition of four federal buildings.
• The Justice Department disputed her account in a filing, calling it inaccurate and stating GSA is evaluating the properties for disposal, meaning transfer out of federal ownership.
• The buildings named are HUD’s Robert C. Weaver Building, the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, the GSA Regional Office Building, and the Liberty Loan Building, which GSA previously moved to dispose of.
• The dispute unfolds alongside preservationists’ lawsuit over plans to repaint the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with the administration agreeing not to paint before March as the case proceeds.
• Preservation groups cite the buildings’ significance, highlighting the Cohen building’s New Deal murals by Ben Shahn and Philip Guston and noting its landmark and National Register status.