Washington: Several employees of an unofficial government cost-cutting team led by billionaire Elon Musk were blocked from entering the US African Development Foundation (USADF).
According to Anadolu Agency, the hour-long standoff on Wednesday was part of ongoing resistance from federal employees against the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to access data and grants. Around 11:30 a.m. (1630GMT), the DOGE team and Pete Marocco, director of the State Department's Office of Foreign Assistance and acting deputy administrator of the US Agency for International Development, tried to enter the USADF building to fire employees, based on footage and a source.
About 30 USADF employees were present when security reported two men without key cards claiming to be staff. Recognizing them as members of Musk's team, employees denied them entry, suspecting it was a final attempt to access systems before dismantling the agency. Another official confirmed that the visit was indeed to fire staff.
The employees were also aware of a letter from USADF President Ward Brehm, who was absent at the time, addressed to a member of Musk's team the previous day. The letter stated: 'In my absence, I have specifically instructed the staff of USADF to adhere to our rules and procedure of not allowing any meetings of this type without my presence.'
The security guard informed staff that the Musk team workers threatened to call US marshals before eventually being permitted to proceed upstairs. However, unable to access the suite, the DOGE team roamed the halls while employees continued their work. The cost-cutting team officials departed by 12:30 p.m. but indicated their intention to return Thursday with US marshals.
USADF, an independent agency founded in 1980, supports African-led enterprises in underserved communities. Unlike USAID, it operates with a small staff and a Senate-confirmed board that appoints its president. A USADF official, citing the law, asserted that 'the agency can only be dissolved by an act of Congress and the president can only be hired and fired by the board.'
The lockout follows President Donald Trump's executive order on February 19, calling for the dissolution of several foreign assistance agencies, including USADF, which he deemed "unnecessary."