The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced the closure of six federal office locations in Delaware, marking the latest move in the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts. These closures are part of a broader strategy to reduce government spending by eliminating unused or unnecessary federal leases.
Among the 256 locations nationwide that are being shut down, the Delaware sites include three Department of Defense (DoD) or U.S. Secret Service locations in Rehoboth Beach and three in Wilmington. According to DOGE, these closures will save the government $1,452,600 annually in lease expenses.
Rehoboth Beach Closures: Less Need for Secret Service Presence
The three Secret Service and Department of Defense offices in Rehoboth Beach are being closed due to a reduced security requirement following the departure of former President Joe Biden from office.
- Rehoboth Beach was a frequent retreat for Biden during his presidency, requiring a larger Secret Service presence at the time.
- With Biden no longer in office, ongoing security operations are no longer necessary, making the offices redundant.
- These three locations had a combined annual lease cost of $585,275.
DOGE has estimated potential savings of over $2.9 million by assuming these leases would have continued for five years if Biden had won re-election.
Wilmington Closures: Cutting Security-Related Costs
The three locations in Wilmington also housed Secret Service and Department of Defense operations, but their future purpose remains unclear.
- One Wilmington office (13,441 sq. ft.) cost $528,160 per year.
- Another location, with no listed square footage, cost $249,975 annually.
- Together, these closures eliminate over $778,000 in yearly lease expenses.
While it is uncertain whether these locations had other functions besides security for Biden, DOGE determined they were no longer essential.
Trump Administration’s Cost-Cutting Strategy
The Delaware closures are part of a nationwide real estate downsizing effort aimed at eliminating wasteful government spending.
As of February 26, 2025, DOGE claims to have saved the government $65 billion through:
- Fraud detection and removal
- Lease and contract cancellations
- Renegotiation of contracts and leases
- Government asset sales
- Grant cancellations
- Federal workforce reductions
- Program eliminations and regulatory changes
The Associated Press (AP) has stated that they have not independently verified the $65 billion savings figure.
DOGE officials say they will update their savings estimates twice a week as they continue identifying new cost-cutting opportunities.
