Table of Contents
- Trump Officials Move Into Fort McNair Residences
- Who’s Living Where—and Why It Matters
- Historical Use of Military Housing by Civilians
- Ethics Concerns and Public Backlash
- Sources
Trump Officials Move Into Fort McNair Residences
In a move drawing sharp scrutiny from military watchdogs and ethics experts, top Trump administration officials—including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio—have relocated into high-end military housing in the Washington, D.C. area, traditionally reserved for senior uniformed officers .
Defense Secretary Hegseth now occupies the historic residence at Fort McNair, a gated Army post along the Potomac River that has for decades housed the Army’s vice chief of staff—a four-star general position. Meanwhile, Secretary Rubio and at least two other cabinet-level appointees have moved into nearby military quarters at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, homes typically allocated to top-ranking Navy and Air Force officers .
Who’s Living Where—and Why It Matters
The Fort McNair home assigned to Hegseth spans over 8,000 square feet, includes a private dock, and is maintained at taxpayer expense. According to Department of Defense (DoD) policy, such residences are intended for active-duty military personnel in specific leadership roles—not civilian appointees, even those heading the Pentagon .
Similarly, the homes at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling feature 24/7 security, landscaped grounds, and access to exclusive base amenities. While civilian leaders have occasionally stayed in military housing during transitions, long-term occupancy by multiple cabinet secretaries is unprecedented in modern U.S. history.
Historical Use of Military Housing by Civilians
Past defense secretaries—including Robert Gates and Ash Carter—chose to live in private residences in D.C. or Northern Virginia, paying market rates. The only notable exception was Donald Rumsfeld, who briefly used a government-owned home during the post-9/11 period, but not on an active military installation .
Military housing assignments are governed by DoD Instruction 1015.10, which prioritizes “operational necessity” and “rank-appropriate accommodation.” Critics argue that civilian officials do not meet these criteria, especially when private housing options are readily available.
Ethics Concerns and Public Backlash
“This isn’t just about comfort—it’s about respect for the chain of command and military tradition,” said retired Gen. Laura Thompson, a former Pentagon advisor. “These homes symbolize service, not political appointment.”
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has been asked to review the reassignments, while members of Congress from both parties have called for transparency. “If a four-star general can’t live in their designated home because a political appointee took it, that sends the wrong message to our troops,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a Marine veteran .
The Pentagon defended the moves, stating that “temporary housing solutions were necessary due to security and logistical considerations.” However, internal emails obtained by The New York Times show officials began planning the relocations as early as August 2025—months before any alleged security threats emerged .
