Shutting Down USADF Would Harm Critical Work that Boosts Economic Development and Reduces Global Conflict 

Washington, DC — Ward Brehm, President of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF), filed a complaint for preliminary and permanent injunction today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block DOGE from accessing USADF and removing Brehm as its President.  

The suit, filed by Democracy Forward, alleges this attempt violates the Appointments Clause and African Development Foundation Act. Today’s action comes after DOGE employees tried to unlawfully access USADF on March 5 with the intent to shut the agency down, and are again onsite today threatening USADF personnel.

“If DOGE achieves its goal of shutting down USADF, we will feel the ripple effects across the African continent and in the United States,” said Ward Brehm, President of the United States African Development Foundation. “Our work boosts economic stability in fragile regions, with investments in more than 1,000 African-owned and led businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations. Not only have we improved the lives of millions of people in Africa, we’ve contributed to a safer and more secure world.” 

“People in the United States and across the globe benefit from the safer, more resilient communities this USADF’s work creates, particularly in conflict-prone areas. USADF has helped millions of people on the African continent move out of poverty and improve their livelihood, from farmers to young female entrepreneurs and has made Americans more safe at home and abroad,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “We will all feel the consequences if DOGE is allowed to execute this rapid and unlawful overreach against USADF. Democracy Forward will continue to use every tool available to block the Trump-Musk overreach.” 

The Complaint is available here. 

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.