Judiciary Official Warns Federal Layoffs Could Impact Courts

A top judiciary official cautioned that layoffs at the agency managing federal buildings may jeopardize future court operations.

Recent reduction-in-force actions taken by the General Services Administration “have the potential to create both immediate and long-term effects on court operations and the services provided by GSA,” Paul Gamble, chief of the facilities and security office of the Administrative Office of the US Courts, wrote in a Monday memo.

The AO became aware on March 3 of the layoffs, which primarily impacted GSA’s southwest and West Coast regions. However, future reductions-in-force affecting courts in other locations are “expected,” he wrote.

Gamble said his office has had “multiple conversations” with senior GSA executives about these actions and their impacts on the judiciary.

“The AO will continue discussions with GSA, urging them to consider the unique housing needs of the judicial branch before taking actions that could detrimentally impact daily court operations,” he wrote.

The memo, viewed by Bloomberg Law, is addressed to chief judges, federal defenders, and other court officials. Though the GSA is housed within a separate branch of government from the courts, the agency is responsible for constructing and repairing federal courthouses. It also assists with judicial security, alongside the US Marshals.

Gamble’s warning comes as the Trump administration continues its federal cost-cutting efforts, led by billionaire Elon Musk’s government efficiency unit. Thousands of federal workers have been laid off or taken buyouts since January.

Earlier this month, GSA posted—and then removed—a list of hundreds of federal buildings it was eyeing for “disposal,” which included a number of federal courthouses and other judiciary offices, including some for federal defenders. According to Gamble, the list included 69 buildings used, at least in part, by members of the judiciary.

Gamble said in the memo that any potential court closures would take time to implement, “potentially giving impacted courts adequate time to discuss, plan, and respond.”

Reuters reported on the memo earlier.