White House Clashes with USADF Over Access and Executive Authority

The White House is embroiled in a contentious dispute with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), a small federal agency, following an attempt by members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to gain access to the agency’s headquarters. The incident has ignited a legal battle and sparked accusations of defiance against presidential authority, highlighting the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to downsize the federal government and "drain the swamp."

The conflict began when DOGE, a cost-cutting team ostensibly aligned with President Trump’s executive order to reduce the federal bureaucracy, sought to enter the USADF building on Wednesday. This team, which included individuals from Elon Musk’s organization (also acronymed DOGE) and acting head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Peter Marocco, were reportedly denied entry by USADF staff who intentionally locked them out.

The White House characterized this action as an act of insubordination, accusing "rogue bureaucrats" of attempting to obstruct the implementation of the president’s directives. According to a White House official, the DOGE team returned to the USADF building the following day, this time accompanied by U.S. marshals, after the Department of Justice (DOJ) determined they had the right to enter.

This escalation prompted USADF President Ward Brehm to file a lawsuit in district court, seeking to prevent the administration from removing him from his position. Brehm, who admitted to directing employees to deny DOGE entry, argued that he was entitled to remain in his role.

The White House responded forcefully, denouncing Brehm’s actions as an attempt by "entitled, rogue bureaucrats" to defy executive orders. Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly emphasized that the President had signed an executive order to reduce the federal bureaucracy, which included reducing the USADF to its statutory minimum and appointing Peter Marocco as acting Chairman of the Board.

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, alleges "unlawful overreach" from DOGE and requests the court to affirm Brehm’s "clear entitlement to remain in his office as the President of USADF." The 26-page complaint argues that any attempt to terminate Brehm, whether by Marocco, President Trump, or others, would be unlawful.

The legal battle took a significant turn on Friday when District Judge Richard J. Leon in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary restraining order preventing Brehm’s removal. This order provides temporary protection for Brehm while the court considers the merits of his case.

The White House’s focus on cutting government waste has been a consistent theme throughout the Trump administration. The administration has repeatedly highlighted instances of alleged inefficiency and misuse of taxpayer funds to justify its efforts to downsize the federal workforce and streamline government operations. In this specific case, DOGE claims the government is paying for 11,020 Adobe Acrobat licenses with zero users, plus more "idle" accounts. These claims of waste are a key part of the argument for the need for the DOGE team’s intervention.

President Trump has publicly lauded DOGE’s efforts to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in "waste" from the federal government. He has framed these actions as part of a broader effort to "reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy" and "restore true democracy to America."

During his address to a joint session of Congress, Trump stated, "Any federal bureaucrat who resists this change will be removed from office immediately, because we are draining the swamp. It’s very simple. The days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over."

The dispute between the White House and the USADF underscores the tension between the executive branch and certain segments of the federal bureaucracy. The Trump administration has made it clear that it expects federal employees to adhere to presidential directives and support its agenda of reducing the size and scope of government.

However, critics of the administration’s approach argue that it is undermining the independence and expertise of federal agencies, and that its cost-cutting efforts may have unintended consequences for essential government services. The USADF, for example, plays a crucial role in supporting grassroots development projects in Africa, and any disruption to its operations could potentially harm its ability to fulfill its mission.

The outcome of the legal battle between Brehm and the White House will have significant implications for the balance of power between the executive branch and federal agencies. It will also serve as a test of the president’s authority to implement his agenda and hold federal employees accountable.

Fox News Digital reached out to Brehm and USADF for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. The silence from USADF adds to the sense of conflict and uncertainty surrounding the agency’s future. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges and complexities of implementing large-scale reforms within the federal government, and it remains to be seen how this conflict will ultimately be resolved.