Small US federal agency resists entry by Musk's government cost-cutting team

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Several employees of an unofficial government cost-cutting team led by billionaire Elon Musk were blocked from entering the US African Development Foundation (USADF).

The hour-long standoff Wednesday was part of 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, attempted to enter the USADF building to fire employees, according to footage and a source, according to The Washington Post.

About 30 USADF employees were at work when security reported two men without key cards were 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 the visit was to fire staff.

The staff was also aware of a letter from USADF President Ward Brehm, who was absent, to a member of Musk’s team the previous day that said: “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 they were allowed upstairs.

Unable to access the suite, the DOGE team roamed the halls while employees continued working. The cost-cutting team officials left by 12.30 p.m. but said they would 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 Feb. 19 executive order calling for the dissolution of several foreign assistance agencies, including USADF, which he deemed "unnecessary."

Democrats argue Musk’s team lacks the authority to dissolve USADF, citing its independent status and legal protections.