Now DOGE Has Machine Guns -- Tom Sullivan

[erronis]

https://digbysblog.net/2025/03/20/now-doge-has-machine-guns/

Ho-Ho-Ho

Talking Points Memo has been following the story of DOGE thugs breaking into the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C. TPM has coverage here, and here after a court hearing

But first, this blurb from The Independent on Wednesday’s hearing:

In a hearing in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, District Judge Beryl Howell asked Justice Department attorneys whether Donald Trump’s administration could enforce his executive order seeking to shutter the agency “without using the force of guns and threats by DOGE against American citizens.”

“I mean, this conduct of using law enforcement, threatening criminal investigations, using arms of law enforcement … probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute, when there are so many other lawful ways to accomplish the goals … why?” she said. “Just because DOGE is in a rush?”

What’s changed (escalated) in the last week is that DOGE now has now forced its way into an independent, nonprofit, national institute separate from the Executive Branch, and did it by coopting D.C. Metro Police and Inter-Con, an armed, private security force with government contracts.
Inter-Con promotional photo. Armed man with brown gloves wears Inter-Con patch.


Josh Marshall is concerned. You should be too:

I want to draw out a critical element of what happened on Monday and which we learned today. DOGE went to the private security contractor working for USIP and essentially said, you don’t have a clear legal or ethical ability to do this. But if you don’t want to lose all your federal contracts, you have to. And they did.

. . .

[underpants]

1. I was not aware of Inter-Con. Looks like DOGE threatened them to make them let them in USIP

In March 2025, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) cancelled a contract with Inter-Con amidst a dispute with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). USIP was concerned that Inter-Con would allow DOGE members access to the USIP headquarters, as Inter-Con's federal contracts could be leveraged to force their cooperation with DOGE. After the contract was cancelled, Inter-Con staff used a physical key that had been issued and not returned to assist DOGE personnel in entering the building and seizing USIP security personnel and weapons.[6][7] According to sworn testimony from USIP head of security Colin O'Brien, "DOGE threatened to cancel every federal contract Inter-Con held" if they did not assist DOGE in accessing their former client's premises.[8].

Inter-Con's security services include physical security, program management, electronic security, security consulting and training, specialized services, active shooter response, and executive protection.[9] The company's client list includes federal, state and local governments, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, public utilities, private businesses, hospitals, sports arenas, and high net worth individuals, among others.[10] Internationally, Inter-Con has developed into the premier provider of diplomatic security services, safeguarding dozens of United States Embassies, as well as dozens of other embassy locations around the world.[11][12]
Key sectors served by Inter-Con include aerospace & defense, consumer goods & services, education, energy & utilities, financial, government & diplomatic, healthcare, manufacturing, natural materials & resources, and non-governmental organizations.[13]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-Con_Security

[erronis]

2. Thank you - most useful information. The criminals have infected all levels of government and businesses.

[intheflow]

3. Inter-Con is a bunch of fascists.

They could have sued the US for breach of contract if they cancelled all their contracts, but instead they decided to use an unauthorized key to enter a former employer's place of business. In the olden days, 3 months ago, that would have been enough to terminate all their government contracts.

[LiberalArkie]

5. Ahh, an executive or owner of Inter-Con was going to loose some money so they just made a few calls and had vengeance.

Vengeance is mine sayth the Lord MAGA

[yellow dahlia]

7. Yikes.

How many illegal acts, violations, torts in this story?

[Sky Jewels]

4. Nazification continues unabated.

Where the FUCK are our "leaders"?!?!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Rachel covered part of this story last night

Link to tweet

Legendary #Maddow: "At this tiny agency, the staffers there tried to hold the line, and keep operating as an agency by essentially keeping their doors closed, while the @DOGE guys tried to MUSCLE their way in...Here's what I want to know, though. When those #DOGE kids came back the second day...and according to all the press reports, U.S. Marshalls let them in the building, was it U.S. Marshalls?"

[Meowmee]

8. If true

Why haven't they been arrested?