FBI Director Kash Patel Announces Permanent Closure of Hoover Building, Moves Headquarters to Reagan Building
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a landmark move that concludes decades of deliberation over the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s aging headquarters, FBI Director Kash Patel announced on December 26, 2025, that the agency will permanently close the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building. Instead of pursuing a costly new construction project, the bureau will relocate most of its headquarters operations to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, an existing federal facility in downtown Washington, D.C.
Patel revealed that the FBI has scrapped a nearly $5 billion plan to build a new headquarters that would not have been completed until 2035. “After more than 20 years of failed attempts, we finalized a plan to permanently close the FBI’s Hoover headquarters and move the workforce into a safe, modern facility,” Patel said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He credited collaboration with former President Donald Trump and Congress in accomplishing what previous administrations could not.
The Hoover Building, which opened in 1975, has long been criticized for its deteriorating infrastructure and security vulnerabilities. Over the past decade, the FBI and the General Services Administration explored multiple options for a new headquarters, including sites in Maryland and Virginia. However, the decision to repurpose the Reagan Building offers a more immediate and cost-effective solution.
Patel emphasized that key safety and infrastructure upgrades are already underway at the Reagan Building, which will soon house the majority of the FBI’s headquarters staff. “Once complete, most of the HQ FBI workforce will move in, and the rest are continuing in our ongoing push to put more manpower in the field, where they will remain,” Patel said. He framed the move as a strategic reallocation of resources to better defend the homeland, combat violent crime, and protect national security.
The relocation aligns with broader federal efforts to maximize the use of existing government properties. The Reagan Building, originally designed as a federal office and trade center, offers modern amenities and enhanced security features that are critical for the FBI’s mission. The bureau’s plan also reflects a shift toward deploying more agents in field offices nationwide, a strategy Patel first hinted at earlier this year.
Experts note that this decision not only saves billions of dollars but also accelerates the timeline for improving FBI headquarters operations. The nearly $5 billion construction proposal would have extended over a decade, with completion not expected until 2035. By contrast, the Reagan Building move promises a faster transition and better utilization of federal resources.
For years, the FBI’s headquarters has been a focal point of concern regarding security and operational efficiency. The agency’s seal, prominently displayed on the Hoover Building, symbolizes its critical role in national security, counterterrorism, and law enforcement. The move to the Reagan Building is seen as a pragmatic step toward modernizing the bureau’s infrastructure.
More information about the FBI’s ongoing modernization efforts and headquarters relocation can be found on the official FBI website. The General Services Administration continues to oversee the renovation and adaptation of the Reagan Building to meet the bureau’s needs.
As the FBI transitions its headquarters, the agency remains focused on its core mission to protect the American people. Director Patel’s announcement marks a significant milestone in the bureau’s history, underscoring a commitment to operational excellence and fiscal responsibility.
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