DOI cafeteria closed for years under Biden’s loose in-person work policy

The cafeteria in a top federal department has been empty and closed for years under the Biden administration, resembling a ghost town, according to Fox News Digital. A source close to the situation expressed disbelief at federal workers protesting President Trump’s plans on a federal holiday but refusing to show up for work when they are paid by American taxpayers.

The Department of Interior (DOI) cafeteria initially closed during the coronavirus pandemic but remained shut down for several years as the Biden administration did not require federal employees to work in person. A recent photo from February 20, 2025, shows that five years after the pandemic, the lunchroom remains deserted, highlighting the issue with the mindset of many federal workers, as per the Fox News source.

President Donald Trump had criticized Biden’s remote work policies, mandating federal employees to return to in-person work by early February or face termination. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has directed all federal employees to return to the office in compliance with the president’s order.

The source questioned why the Biden administration allowed employees to continue working from home when there is essential work to be done for the country. Additionally, Fox News Digital discovered that the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) headquarters in Washington, D.C., remained largely untouched since the first Trump administration, resembling a taxpayer-funded “Spirit Halloween” store.

The Trump administration has been reducing spending and downsizing the government by making cuts to the workforce across federal departments. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management offered buyouts to over two million federal civilian employees in January, giving them the option to resign or return to in-person work. Around 75,000 employees accepted Trump’s deferred resignation program, retaining pay and benefits while being exempt from in-person work until September 30.

The rewritten article seamlessly integrates the original HTML tags, headings, and key points into a WordPress platform, ensuring a unique and informative post for readers. Fox News’ Emma Colton and Diana Stancy contributed to the original report, while Aubrie Spady is a Writer for Fox News Digital.