In a striking shift from tradition, at least half a dozen Trump administration officials have moved into military housing in the Washington area, marking an unprecedented use of secure bases for civilian government leaders. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth now live in stately homes at Fort McNair, typically reserved for high-ranking generals. The trend reflects growing security concerns in an era of heightened threats.

Several officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Stephen Miller, cite credible threats as the reason for relocating to guarded military installations. Security experts note the practice has no modern precedent and raises questions about democracy and public safety. Officials pay fair-market rent ranging from $4,500 to $6,500 monthly, with some like Kristi Noem under scrutiny for her housing arrangements.

Former officials say the move makes sense given rising threats and the $3 billion annual Secret Service budget. The shift represents a dramatic change from previous administrations where officials lived in civilian neighborhoods. Robert M. Gates, who served under both Bush and Obama, was one of the few past officials to request government housing. This new pattern suggests a fundamental change in how Washington's power brokers balance public service with personal security.