USDA union leaders rally against proposed DC downsizing

The Trump administration's proposed USDA reorganization aims to relocate over 2,500 employees from Washington, D.C., to five regional offices, sparking opposition from union leaders who warn of layoffs and reduced capacity to address critical issues like food safety and wildfire response. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins' plan, outlined in a July 2025 memo, seeks to limit D.C. staff to 2,000, but critics argue it will harm the department's operational effectiveness.