A frustrated top official at the Department of Veterans Affairs took drastic measures while refusing to leave his post in February after being removed as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing federal shakeup.
Dewaine Beard, then the department’s CIO and acting assistant secretary for information, barricaded himself inside his office for at least a day after learning that the administration had tapped another employee to take over his position, according to Politico.
He did not deny the account in a text message conversation with the Daily Beast.
“I took advantage of the deferred resignation program and went on authorized leave February 26, seven days after the VA of Staff and I signed the contract,” Beard told the Daily Beast in a text. “As was specified in the terms of the deferred resignation contract.”
He added that he signed the contract with the VA chief of staff.
“I have no further comment,” he said.
Beard’s deputy Eddie Pool was appointed to take over, but Politico found that the up-and-comer was met with resistance when he approached his new office. He put his suit down and told Beard about his dismissal, but Beard refused to accept the change and even moved his subordinate’s clothes out of the office.
According to three sources within the VA who spoke with Politico, he banned Pool from entering the office the next day and even gave Pool’s photos to security and told them to block him from entering. When Politico reporters asked him about the altercation, Beard said that’s “not what happened” but refused to provide more information.
Beard said that Pool sent a staff-wide email declaring himself CIO, but it was “insufficient authority to effect a management change.”
Eventually, Beard said he was informed about the change by VA higher-ups and let Pool take over in “an orderly way with the appropriate and required documentation.”
Beard is currently on administrative leave under the Deferred Resignation Program.
The tense transition comes at a time when the Trump administration is enacting shakeups across a number of federal agencies. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is firing thousands of workers from their positions at USAID, the Department of Agriculture, the National Park Service, and the VA, among others. Many are being restructured, some eliminated all together, and longterm employees are being asked to leave with little warning.
The Office of Information and Technology aims to “collaborate with our business partners to create the best experience for all Veterans,” according to its website. They’re committed to becoming “change agents” and ensuring transparency and accountability. As part of his position, Beard was responsible for oversight and operations of all IT activities. His department had over 8,000 staff members and 9,000 contractors. He also oversaw the VA’s cyber and information security program.
Pool officially took over his position in late February. The Daily Beast has reached out to him for comment.
