USDA union leaders rally against proposed DC downsizing

USDA union leaders oppose a Trump administration proposal to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and relocate over 2,500 employees from Washington, D.C., to regional offices, warning of layoffs and reduced capacity for core USDA functions. The reorganization, led by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, aims to limit D.C. staffing to 2,000 by 2025, with regional offices in cities like Raleigh and Kansas City. Critics argue the move exacerbates existing workforce losses and hampers wildfire response and food safety efforts.