The Trump administration recently took down a list from the General Services Administration (GSA) website that named hundreds of government buildings they were thinking about selling or shutting down. The GSA is in charge of managing federal real estate. On Tuesday, the agency posted a list of more than 440 properties across the U.S. it planned to review for disposal. But later that same day, the agency cut the list down to just 320 properties. By Wednesday morning, the list was completely gone, and the website only said: “Non-core property list (Coming soon).”

This sudden change has raised questions about what the government is planning, especially since some of the buildings on the list were still in use. The government has not given a clear explanation about why the list was taken down or what will happen next.

Maryland Had a Large Number of Buildings Listed

The original list had a major impact on Maryland, where 83 federal buildings were included as potential properties to close or sell. These included major facilities like:

  • Four Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) buildings in Woodlawn
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offices in Silver Spring
  • NOAA Satellite Operations Facility in Suitland
  • The U.S. Custom House in Baltimore
  • After the GSA posted the revised list, the number of buildings in Maryland dropped to 21. However, the GSA quickly deleted even that version, leaving people unsure about which buildings remain at risk. The agency has not released an official statement to explain how it chose which properties to remove or why it took the list down.

Part of a Bigger Push to Shrink the Federal Government

President Donald Trump has made it a goal to reduce the size and cost of the federal government. His administration has already taken steps like laying off thousands of federal workers, freezing budgets, and cutting federal programs. Another one of their goals is to reduce the amount of office space the government uses, especially if it’s not being fully used or is considered unnecessary.

According to the GSA, they are reviewing buildings that are empty, underused, or not essential to government operations. If they decide these buildings are no longer needed, the government might sell them, repurpose them, or demolish them.

Federal Workers Feel Uncertain and Worried

The release—and quick removal—of this property list has caused a lot of concern among federal employees, especially in Maryland. Many workers say that civil service used to feel like a stable career, but now that’s changing. Some worry that if their building is sold or closed, their jobs may be next to go.

This is especially alarming in areas like Silver Spring, Woodlawn, and Suitland, where many of the buildings on the list are located. People who work in these buildings are now facing uncertainty about the future of their workplaces and their positions.

What Happens Next Is Still Unknown

Right now, no one knows for sure why the GSA removed the list from its website. Reporters tried to contact the agency, but the agency hasn’t responded. No one knows whether the government still plans to close the buildings on the list or has changed its course.

The only thing that’s certain is that this move has sparked confusion and fear among federal workers and local communities. Many people are hoping that the government will be more transparent and provide answers soon.

If the list returns, people will be watching closely to see which buildings are on it and what that means for workers, services, and neighborhoods in Maryland and across the country.