A legal standoff has emerged between the Trump administration and a federal agency head who refused to allow the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) into his office, sparking accusations of obstruction.
On Friday, DOGE officials attempted to enter the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) headquarters but were turned away by locked doors. The agency’s staff reportedly blocked access under orders from USADF President Ward Brehm. The following day, DOGE returned with U.S. Marshals, who confirmed the officials had the legal authority to enter.
THE SWAMP IS DEEP AS BUREAUCRATS TRY TO FIGHT AGAINST TRUMP'S ORDERS. So, the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) employees and the organization's President worked with employees to lock the doors to DOGE. Now, I am not a lawyer, but any federal organization that thinks… pic.twitter.com/R3k94LxqxW
— CICNEWS4YOU (Conservative, Trump, Freedom) (@cicnews4you) March 9, 2025
Brehm has since taken the matter to court, arguing in a lawsuit that the Trump administration’s efforts to remove him amount to “unlawful overreach.” He is seeking a ruling to allow him to stay in office despite recent federal restructuring.
The White House fired back, stating that Brehm does not have the authority to ignore presidential directives. President Donald Trump’s executive order had already reduced USADF’s size, appointing Peter Marocco as acting Chairman of the Board.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order halting Brehm’s removal, but the administration remains committed to cutting down on bureaucratic inefficiency. Trump has long promised to rein in excessive government spending and has reiterated that officials who resist these reforms will be removed.
The case is expected to test how much authority agency heads have in challenging White House directives, with broader implications for Trump’s government restructuring agenda.
