Two senior security officials at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were placed on administrative leave Saturday after they refused access to personnel from Elon Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The confrontation escalated when DOGE staff attempted to physically enter USAID’s Washington, D.C. headquarters and threatened to involve law enforcement, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

The DOGE personnel allegedly demanded access to USAID’s security systems and personnel files, and some sources claimed they sought classified information as well. When denied access, DOGE staff reportedly threatened to call U.S. Marshals to gain entry, further intensifying the standoff.

The two USAID officials placed on leave, Director of Security John Voorhees and his deputy, are the latest in a series of high-level departures at the agency. These events have sparked concerns among some lawmakers that the Trump administration may be deliberately undermining USAID. Rumors have circulated that President Donald Trump is considering signing an executive order to merge USAID with the U.S. State Department, a move that Democratic lawmakers have argued would be illegal.

USAID, which provides billions of dollars in foreign assistance annually, plays a critical role in global efforts to combat poverty, address health crises, and respond to natural disasters. The agency employs more than 10,000 people, with a significant portion of its workforce stationed abroad. In fiscal year 2023, USAID extended assistance to about 130 countries.

This incident comes on the heels of other developments at the agency, including the suspension of around 60 senior USAID staff last week. These employees were accused of attempting to bypass an executive order regarding foreign aid, though no evidence of wrongdoing was found. Another senior official was also put on leave for attempting to reverse the action.

In addition, it has been reported that the entire USAID public affairs office was locked out of its systems, leaving staff without access to their work.

CNN has reached out to both the White House and USAID for further comment on the ongoing situation.

A series of unsettling interactions between Donald Trump’s transition team and top Treasury Department officials has raised concerns over the future of federal payment systems. Just weeks before Trump’s inauguration, his team, including members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sought detailed information on how the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS) processes trillions of dollars in government payments annually.

These payments, including Social Security benefits, tax refunds, and salaries for federal workers, are handled by BFS, a critical department responsible for nearly 90 percent of federal disbursements, amounting to over $5 trillion a year. What began as a routine inquiry soon turned into an alarming effort to examine the department’s payment systems more closely, with Trump’s team requesting access to sensitive information about the disbursement process.

Career Treasury officials were concerned by the unusual focus on the BFS. The requests, which included details about the department’s proprietary computer systems and field offices handling payments, raised suspicions among officials, particularly as they were unprecedented in previous presidential transitions. These actions, combined with the repeated focus on payment infrastructure, prompted worries about possible disruptions to an essential financial system.

Tensions escalated following the recent resignation of David Lebryk, the Treasury Department’s top civil servant, who left amid mounting pressure from Trump’s allies. Sources claim that Trump-affiliated officials had pressed to explore the Treasury’s ability to halt specific payments. Lebryk, however, pushed back, stating that halting payments was not within the bureau’s role, which is to disburse funds as directed by other agencies.

The controversy surrounding federal payments grew when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed a freeze on trillions of dollars in federal spending, an order that was rescinded after causing an uproar. The episode, which involved Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, further amplified divisions within the department.

This week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren called for an investigation into the matter, expressing concern over Musk’s involvement and the potential political interference in critical payment processes. Musk had previously indicated his interest in reforming payment approval systems, claiming that Treasury officials had historically approved payments, including those to fraudulent or terrorist groups. This assertion, however, overlooks the established systems in place to ensure lawful payments.

As political maneuvering continues, the future of the BFS remains uncertain. The department’s crucial role in maintaining the country’s financial stability could be jeopardized by ongoing efforts to alter or halt certain federal payments, potentially undermining the trust necessary for a smooth-running economy. Meanwhile, the legal challenges to the administration’s spending freeze continue, highlighting the deep legal implications of any efforts to disrupt government payments.