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USDA reorganization lacked transparency, federal watchdog finds

USDA reorganization lacked transparency, federal watchdog finds

Rule Changes

A GAO report says the Agriculture Department did not document how its relocation plan would affect programs, as a court injunction holds the plan in place.

Today: GAO report says USDA provided little transparency

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

The Agriculture Department has cut its workforce by about 20% since December 2024, from 91,000 employees to 73,000. It also wants to move about half its Washington-area staff to offices around the country.

On Nov. 9, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a nonpartisan federal watchdog, said USDA did not provide documents showing how it weighed the reorganization's effects on programs and finances. A federal judge had already blocked the plan in October. Farmers have said they worry about staffing at county offices, where they get loan and conservation help.

Why it matters

It decides whether USDA loan and conservation offices stay staffed near farmers, and whether agencies must document reorganizations before carrying them out.

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Key Indicators

20%
USDA workforce decline
From December 2024 to March 2026, according to the GAO report.
73,000
USDA employees in March 2026
Down from about 91,000 in December 2024.
91,000
USDA employees in December 2024
The starting point before the workforce reductions.
50%
Washington-area staff targeted for relocation
About half of USDA's Washington-area employees, according to the plan reported by Reuters.

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People Involved

Brooke L. Rollins
Brooke L. Rollins
US Secretary of Agriculture
Leading the reorganization; plan blocked by court injunction

Organizations Involved

U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Federal Agency
Reorganization blocked by court injunction

The department runs farm loan, conservation, nutrition and research programs, often through county offices.
Government Accountability Office
Government Accountability Office
Congressional watchdog
Issued report faulting USDA for lack of transparency

The GAO is the federal government's nonpartisan audit arm, examining agency spending and management for Congress.
American Federation of Government Employees
American Federation of Government Employees
Federal Employee Union
Suing to block the reorganization

AFGE is the largest union representing federal employees and has sued USDA over the relocation plan.

Timeline

November 2025 November 2026

7 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. GAO report says USDA provided little transparency

    Today Investigation

    The watchdog said USDA did not provide documentation showing it analyzed the reorganization's potential harms.

  2. Federal judge blocks USDA reorganization

    Legal

    The court held the plan unlawfully reprogrammed appropriated funds and exceeded USDA's statutory authority.

  3. Rollins dismisses GAO findings as 'partisan shenanigans'

    Statement

    In a letter to GAO, Rollins said she deliberated for months and rejected the watchdog's criticism.

  4. Federal unions sue again to block USDA reorganization

    Legal

    A coalition including AFGE filed suit in California, arguing the plan violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

  5. Judge denies preliminary injunction in broader workforce case

    Legal

    Judge Susan Illston allowed USDA's reorganization plans to continue for the time being in a separate case.

  6. USDA says 64% of relocation-assigned workers accepted

    Court filing

    An acting USDA official said 64% of 725 employees told to relocate had accepted reassignment.

  7. Congress passes spending bill with USDA reorganization limits

    Legislation

    The fiscal 2026 Agriculture-FDA spending bill included restrictions and committee approval requirements for USDA reorganizations.

Scenarios

1

Court permanently blocks USDA reorganization

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: The October district court ruling and union filings

The injunction becomes permanent or is upheld on appeal. USDA would have to seek new statutory authority from Congress before closing offices or forcing relocations.

2

Appeals court lets USDA resume relocations

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: USDA's stay request and Justice Department filings

The Ninth Circuit dissolves the injunction, allowing USDA to issue relocation notices and close offices while litigation continues. The GAO report would remain a political issue but not a legal barrier.

3

Congress grants USDA explicit reorganization authority

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Appropriations disputes and the district court's ruling

Lawmakers pass legislation authorizing the plan or exempting it from reprogramming limits. That would remove the legal basis for the injunction and let USDA proceed.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2018

USDA moves research agencies to Kansas City (2018)

USDA relocated the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City after notifying Congress. It did not obtain committee approval, and many employees left rather than move.

Then

USDA's inspector general later found the move violated appropriations law.

Now

The episode became a precedent USDA now cites, even as the inspector general's finding undercuts its legal footing.

Why this matters now

USDA's lawyers point to the Kansas City move as a model. The current judge is weighing the same reprogramming question.

2024

USDA drops Rural Business-Cooperative Service reorganization (2024)

USDA proposed restructuring the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Congressional committees declined to approve it.

Then

USDA abandoned the plan.

Now

It showed that committee approval is a practical hurdle for USDA reorganizations.

Why this matters now

The current plan faces similar appropriations restrictions and congressional resistance.

Sources

(6)
Reuters Civil Eats Maryland Matters National Law Review FarmWeekNow Federal News Network