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A political showdown unfolded Monday as Democratic lawmakers confronted Elon Musk’s initiative to downsize federal operations when employees found themselves barred from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development building.

The conflict emerged following multiple investigations suggesting USAID funds were being misappropriated to ineffective programs and groups with anti-American sentiments. While Musk targets the agency’s operations, Democratic representatives defend USAID’s global humanitarian impact through its development initiatives.

The situation escalated when USAID staff discovered they were denied building access, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing his temporary leadership of the agency.

“I talked to the security guard just in there. He said he has been given specific orders to prevent employees of USAID from entering the building today. I just find that to be absolutely ridiculous. This is no way to govern,” Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey said to reporters. “This is no way to treat public servants.”

Kim revealed that USAID employees had contacted him, reporting instances of disrespect from the incoming administration and accusations of criminal behavior.

Several Democratic representatives arrived to protest the lockout, including Virginia Representative Don Beyer, who stated, “Our delegation seeking to do congressional oversight on reports of Elon Musk’s illegal activity at USAID was just barred from entering the building on the orders of Musk and the Trump administration. Nobody elected Musk — this is illegal and corrupt, and we will keep fighting it.”

“What is happening here is illegal,” added Kim. “It is unacceptable to have a president try through executive power … to reorganize or remove USAID. This is an entity that was created through federal statute, codified through federal statute, and something that cannot be changed, cannot be removed except through actions of Congress.”

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy addressed supporters, declaring, “This is a constitutional crisis that we are in today. Let’s call it what it is. The people get to decide how we defend the United States of America. The people get to decide how their taxpayer dollars are spent. Elon Musk does not get to decide.”

Musk defended his position on social media, writing, “The corrupt politicians ‘protesting’ outside the USAID building are the ones getting money from USAID. That’s why they’re there — they want your stolen tax dollars!”

The agency, which maintains a workforce exceeding 10,000 and manages an annual budget surpassing $50 billion, became the center of this political dispute.

Kim responded to the situation on social media, stating, “Shame on them for demonizing Americans who are serving our nation, often in difficult and dangerous places.”

Footage emerged showing Democratic representatives being redirected to the State Department while Department of Homeland Security personnel maintained the building lockdown.