Oregon Rep. Bonamici among electeds inexplicably locked out of U.S. Education Department

"Over the years, Democrats and Republicans have had policy differences, but this is way more than a policy difference. This is them dismantling government without the consent of the people,” Bonamici said. “This is not normal. Nothing feels normal right now.”

She and about 20 other Democrats walked to the department on Friday, seeking that meeting. Instead, they found the building locked and doors blocked by a plainclothes administrator named Jim Hairfield, who works in the agency’s security and facilities office, according to the education department website.