Democratic lawmakers barred from entering EPA after DOGE funding cuts
2 Min Read
This marks the third time Congressional Democrats were denied entry to governmental institutions where DOGE aides are working.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) building is shown in Washington, on September 21, 2017. (AP)
Democrat Senators and House Representatives were barred from entering the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Headquarters, marking the third time Democratic lawmakers were barred from entering an agency that's been targeted by Trump and Musk's Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Senator Ed Markey held a Press Conference in front of the EPA Headquarters after Musk's DOGE cut funding for several EPA programs.
When the Senator attempted to enter the EPA, he was denied entry first, then, he was told he would meet with a DOGE representative who never came.
We were just denied entrance into the EPA after asking to meet with a DOGE representative. More to come. pic.twitter.com/q83m7Dcywf
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) February 6, 2025
A group of Congressional Democrats was denied entry to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) earlier this week, which Trump decided to shut down after he said it was "run by a bunch of radical lunatics" and Musk called it a "criminal organization."
"Looks like billions of dollars have been stolen at USAID and other agencies, much of it going to the fake news media as 'payoff' for creating good stories about the Democrats," Trump posted on his Truth Social account.
Another group of House and Senate Democrats who wanted to speak to DOGE representatives trying to gain access to the Treasury's payment systems were also prevented from entering the Treasury's Headquarters.
Musk, Trump, and DOGE
DOGE played a central role in Trump's campaign for the presidency, as he promised to combat fraud and improper payments" and that he "will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government."
Elon Musk, who originally proposed the idea of a government efficiency department, was set to head this organization, going as far as to say that he's willing to serve America without pay, title, or recognition.
The department announced it saved over 1 billion dollars in early February after eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) contracts, releasing a breakdown detailing the 104 canceled contracts across 30 different federal agencies.
Resistance grew to the department, with a lawsuit being filed minutes after Trump's inauguration, claiming that DOGE should be listed as a "Federal Advisory Agency" which requires transparency, balanced representation, and other requirements DOGE does not meet.
