Federal judiciary asks White House for direct control of courthouses

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is seeking direct control over the federal courthouses across the nation so it may tend to necessary repairs that it says risk the operations of the judiciary.

The executive branch is currently responsible for maintaining federal courthouses, though Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr., the director of the Administrative Office, informed Vice President JD Vance that they collectively needed more than $8 billion in repairs. Conrad wrote to Vance and members of both parties in Congress seeking legislation that would permit the judiciary to maintain the buildings on its own.

"This request is a long-standing Judicial Conference position, originally adopted in 1989, and reaffirmed again in 2006," Conrad wrote. "This position is being sought now because the condition of many buildings housing the Judiciary has reached a crisis point after decades of inadequate management and oversight."

"This has led to over $8 billion worth of delinquent infrastructure repairs that have created risks to safety, security, and court operations. The recent unilateral actions and reorganization of GSA have only exacerbated these conditions," he added.

Conrad further sought an audience with Vance to discuss the proposal.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.