USDA reorganization plan remains blocked by federal court

A federal judge has extended a halt on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) sweeping reorganization plan. The court ruled that the proposed changes are currently prohibited under the department’s fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill and the existing continuing resolution, which is set to run through December 11.

Under the administration's plan, the Forest Service headquarters would move from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City. The proposal also includes shuttering 23 research stations and replacing various regional offices with state-level offices. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that the administration remains “full-bore ahead” with the plan, despite the legal setbacks, arguing that the move will concentrate resources in Western states where nearly 90% of national forest lands are located.

Opponents, including federal employee unions and environmental groups, argue the reorganization is a tactic to force workforce reductions by requiring employees to relocate or face job loss. While the court has ordered that office closings and staff relocations cannot proceed unless prohibitive language is removed from future funding resolutions, the USDA has filed an appeal.