Summary
The U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) barred DOGE staffers from entering its headquarters amid a dispute over leadership.
Trump is trying to install Peter Marocco as USADF’s head, though USADF Chair Ward Brehm insists Senate confirmation is required.
Trump’s recent executive order seeks to dismantle USADF and similar agencies. Democrats argue this exceeds executive authority.
Marocco has made little effort to alleviate bipartisan concern. He has proposed possible criminal referrals against USAID workers or grant recipients.
I dont know why the other agencies just backed down. Force them to detain you, then we will see how serious they are and it makes for better headlines.
Part of it was the shock. Many career government employees are used to administrative shake ups. They probably thought this was normal.
As news and the effects of DOGE have been published, we are now seeing resistance at the front line.
We need to encourage more of this behavior.
Agency employees look like the general public. A third or so are gonna be maga and rooting for this even until they’re fired. Another is just disengaged and think “both sides bad” and this is going to be like business as usual.
Right?!? I’ve been absolutely fucking ASTOUNDED at how so many other agencies have folded like a wet paper napkin - very particularly, the alphabet agencies. That was a corner of our government that I was SURE would at least attempt to parry some of this fascistic bullshit. Glad at least someone found their balls, whatever agency it is.
One of the things humans do best is self preservation. When the consequences are things like losing your pension or maybe even jail time 99% of people aren’t going to risk it.
At our core we’re extremely self-centered animals, which is how things like capitalism and fascism can exist.
I mean, look at us. We’re sitting here bitching on the internet instead of actually taking action. It would only take a handful of people to remedy this situation, but you’d have to find enough people willing to sacrifice literally everything.
I’m not shaming anyone for it, because I’m one of those who isn’t going to take action to remedy the situation.