USADF Confronts DOGE

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been involved in a dramatic confrontation with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), a small federal agency focused on African economic development. The incident, which unfolded over two days, has escalated into a legal battle and raised questions about executive authority and government restructuring.

Day 1: Initial Confrontation

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, five DOGE employees, along with Peter Marocco, the acting deputy head of USAID, attempted to enter the USADF headquarters12. Their entry was denied by security personnel, following instructions from USADF staff who were aware of DOGE's intentions to dismantle their organization16.

The USADF staff cited a letter from their chair, Ward Brehm, which stated that meetings of this nature were not allowed without his presence12. The DOGE representatives, described as "very young men," were unable to gain access to the agency's suite16.

Day 2: Escalation and Legal Action

On Thursday, March 6, Marocco and DOGE representatives returned, this time accompanied by U.S. Marshals24. They successfully entered the unoccupied building, implementing President Trump's executive order from February 19, which deemed the USADF and three other agencies "unnecessary" and subject to dissolution24.

In response to this action, USADF chair Ward Brehm filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Marocco and DOGE24. The lawsuit details the threats made by the DOGE team, including potential legal action against the security guard and warnings to the building's property manager24.

Background and Implications

The USADF, established by Congress in 1980, has been instrumental in supporting marginalized communities in Africa. Between 2019 and 2023, the agency provided $141 million in grants, benefiting 6.2 million individuals through 1,050 community initiatives24.

Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee have argued that President Trump's attempt to unilaterally dissolve the USADF through executive action exceeds the limits of executive authority24.

This confrontation raises important questions about the extent of executive power, the process of government restructuring, and the future of U.S. involvement in African development. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the USADF will be able to continue its operations or if this marks the beginning of its dissolution.

Citations:

1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/05/doge-elon-musk-usadf/

2. https://newrepublic.com/post/192442/doge-marocco-sued-us-marshals-takeover-usadf-agency

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_in_warfare

4. https://www.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-doge-sued-using-202017254.html

5. https://www.army.mil/article/56965/military_working_dogs_guardians_of_the_night

6. https://www.thedailybeast.com/watch-tiny-gov-agency-blocks-musks-doge-goons-from-building-in-heated-standoff/

7. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/war-dogs-military-history/

8. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/what-are-military-working-dogs/

9. https://apnews.com/article/usadf-iaf-doge-trump-executive-order-b9649617edae2a8346a7c393e245ef6e