A battle over federal restructuring is playing out in Washington as the leadership of the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) moves to block oversight from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), setting off a legal dispute.

On Friday, DOGE officials arrived at USADF headquarters to enforce government streamlining measures but were refused entry. Agency President Ward Brehm allegedly directed staff to lock the doors, preventing the officials from carrying out their duties.

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

When DOGE officials returned with U.S. Marshals, the Department of Justice affirmed their right to access the building. However, Brehm responded by filing a lawsuit challenging his removal and claiming the administration was exceeding its authority.

The White House has dismissed these claims, asserting that Trump’s executive order had already reduced USADF’s operations and appointed Peter Marocco to oversee the transition. A spokesperson for the administration stressed that agency heads cannot defy presidential directives.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order pausing Brehm’s removal as the lawsuit proceeds. Despite this, the Trump administration has made it clear that it will not tolerate resistance to its efforts to reform federal agencies.

This case could serve as a test of executive authority, as Trump continues his push to reshape Washington by eliminating bureaucratic waste and holding government officials accountable.