Mice, a Caved-In Ceiling, and Cloudy Water: The GSA’s New Office Is Falling Apart

Since January 2025, the federal workforce has undergone significant changes under Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This administration has downsized tens of thousands of workers, forced those who remain to follow in-person schedules and, in some cases, implement zero-based budgeting. The General Services Administration (GSA), responsible for federal IT services and real estate assets, was among the first to experience these workforce cuts. In addition to these reductions, GSA has plans to sell hundreds of federal office buildings.

A year after the workforce cuts, GSA announced it would hire around 400 workers. However, one employee, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their dissatisfaction, stating, "We’ve all been through a lot, but this really made me finally understand that they don’t care about us. We’re left wondering what else is going to collapse or break—do we need to look at the ceiling before going to the bathroom? Can we actually trust the water is safe to drink?"

Photos obtained by WIRED reveal the extent of the deterioration within GSA's new office. A toilet in the men's restroom on the third floor is covered in debris from the ceiling, while a large hole exists in the said ceiling. Moreover, a dead mouse has been caught in a trap. Workers mentioned that encountering vermin is not entirely unusual in federal buildings, but the falling ceiling has pushed them to the brink of their patience.

An additional sign in the office advises employees to fill up water bottles and run the water without their bottles for 5-10 seconds, waiting for the water to run clear.

As for GSA leadership, administrator Ed Forst has informed employees that they should anticipate working in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) building until December 2028. This building is set for "accelerated disposition" or a quick sale. Meanwhile, their previous location at 1800 F Street is currently undergoing extensive renovations. This initiative is part of a "government-wide effort to reduce underutilized space and fortify the federal real estate footprint," according to a GSA press release.