Standoff In DC As Federal Officials Prevent DOGE From Entering Government Office

A showdown over government downsizing has sparked legal action after leaders at the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) attempted to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from entering their headquarters.

On Friday, DOGE officials arrived at USADF to carry out an administrative restructuring in accordance with a recent executive order by President Donald Trump. They were met with locked doors, reportedly under the direction of USADF President Ward Brehm, who has resisted the administration’s efforts.

After securing confirmation from the Department of Justice that they had the right to enter, DOGE officials returned the next day with U.S. Marshals. Following this confrontation, Brehm filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent his removal from office, claiming that he was being unlawfully targeted.

The White House has pushed back against these claims, arguing that Trump’s executive order reduced USADF’s role and placed Peter Marocco in charge of its transition. A spokesperson for the administration stated that agency officials cannot ignore directives from the president.

A district judge has issued a temporary restraining order against Brehm’s removal while the legal challenge unfolds. Meanwhile, the administration remains focused on reducing inefficiencies and restructuring agencies to align with Trump’s vision for a smaller, more accountable government.

This dispute is just the latest in a series of clashes between the White House and agency officials resisting changes to federal operations.