In a bold move aimed at addressing the dire state of federal courthouses across the nation, Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr., director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, has issued an urgent plea to Congress. His letter detailed the critical conditions of these buildings, including collapsing ceilings, failing elevators, and unsafe water supplies, urging immediate legislative action to prevent further degradation.

“Federal courthouses are in crisis. Without immediate action, the problems will continue to worsen,” Judge Conrad stated, highlighting a series of systemic failures, security risks, and escalating repair costs that threaten the judiciary's ability to function effectively.

At the heart of the issue is the current management of courthouse infrastructure by the General Services Administration (GSA), which has been criticized for long-standing neglect. This situation was exacerbated by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative, which significantly downsized GSA and proposed the sale of some courthouses without consulting the judiciary.

The letter from the judiciary does not specifically mention the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but it does point out the severe impact of recent GSA staff reductions. Nearly half of the agency's personnel have been cut, leaving many courthouses without on-site support for urgent repairs and hazard management.

Judge Conrad’s solution is a legislative shift that would transfer the responsibility of building and managing federal courthouses from the GSA to a newly proposed Judiciary Buildings Service. This transition aims to provide the judiciary with direct control over its infrastructure, ensuring that the buildings are safe, secure, and suitable for the administration of justice.

As the judiciary awaits a response from Congress, the proposal has sparked a wider conversation about the allocation of authority and resources in federal infrastructure management. A spokesperson for GSA was unavailable for comment at the time of reporting. However, the call for change is clear, and the judicial plea underscores a critical need for reform to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s legal proceedings.