Not So Fast: FBI Director Fights Decision To Move Headquarters To Maryland

In a surprising turn of events, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Virginia officials are urging a reconsideration of the decision to move the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt, Maryland. Allegations of conflicts of interest have been raised against the General Services Administration (GSA), responsible for overseeing the relocation.

Wray expressed his discontent in an internal message to FBI employees, revealing that a panel of two GSA officials and one FBI official had unanimously recommended a site in Virginia. However, a political appointee at the GSA, identified as Nina Albert, chose the Greenbelt location against the panel’s advice.

The FBI’s objection is not against the chosen site but concerns the perceived improprieties in the selection process. Wray emphasized concerns about fairness and transparency, stating that despite engaging with the GSA for two months, their worries remain unresolved.

A letter from Wray to GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan, dated October 12, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, citing Albert’s previous employment with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which owns the Greenbelt parcel of land.

Virginia lawmakers from both parties, including Governor Glenn Youngkin and Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, are now calling for the FBI to honor the initial panel’s decision and select a proposed site in Springfield, Virginia.

The GSA, however, rejects Wray’s claims, asserting that the decision-making process was fair and transparent. Carnahan stated, “any suggestion that there was inappropriate interference is unfounded.” A thorough review by the GSA’s Office of the General Counsel affirmed that Albert’s potential conflicts of interest were appropriately handled.

The White House is standing behind the GSA, with Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton affirming the fairness and transparency of the process. The selected Greenbelt site, covering 61 acres, is considered the lowest cost to taxpayers with the most transportation options for FBI workers.

This controversy unfolds after the announcement that a new FBI headquarters would be built in Greenbelt, concluding a yearslong battle between Maryland and Virginia for the relocation of the nation’s top law enforcement agency. The selection process, delayed by the Trump administration, became a focal point of contention between the two states, with Virginia officials condemning the GSA’s decision on Wednesday.