Judge Allows DOGE Takeover Of US Institute Of Peace

A federal judge allows the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to take control of the US Institute of Peace despite legal challenges from the institute’s leadership seeking to preserve its independence.

Key Takeaways

A federal judge denied the US Institute of Peace’s request to block the Trump administration’s DOGE takeover.
Trump’s executive order targeted USIP and three other agencies for significant reductions, firing 11 of 15 board members.
USIP staff and board members filed a lawsuit claiming they are an independent organization created by Congress, not subject to executive control.
Police were called when DOGE representatives attempted to access USIP headquarters, creating a standoff between federal authorities and institute staff.
The dispute centers on whether USIP is an independent agency or part of the executive branch subject to presidential authority.

Court Denies USIP’s Challenge to Trump Administration Control

The US Institute of Peace suffered a significant setback when a federal judge rejected their request to block the Department of Government Efficiency’s takeover. Judge Beryl Howell expressed skepticism about the lawsuit’s chances of success, questioning whether board members experienced irreparable harm. The ruling allows Elon Musk’s DOGE to proceed with implementing President Trump’s executive order targeting the institute for major reductions in operations and staff.

The legal battle erupted when five board members filed a lawsuit challenging their dismissal and seeking to halt dismantling efforts. President Trump had fired 11 of the institute’s 15 board members, including former US ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, and replaced USIP president George Moose with Kenneth Jackson from the US Agency for International Development. The lawsuit described the firings as illegal, claiming they came through unauthorized email notifications.

Dispute Over USIP’s Independence Fuels Legal Battle

At the heart of the controversy is disagreement about USIP’s status within the government framework. Established by Congress in 1984 to study peaceful conflict resolution approaches, the institute operates as a non-profit organization with board members traditionally nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. USIP staff maintain they are a private entity funded by Congress, not a federal agency subject to executive control.

“We have been talking to them for many weeks now in anticipation of just this possibility and also to remind them that we are a private, nonprofit corporation in the District of Columbia and therefore not a federal agency. The federal government has no entitlement to come in and take over our building,” George Moose said.

The Trump administration firmly rejects this interpretation, arguing USIP falls under executive branch authority. Government lawyers questioned the institute’s standing to sue the administration, pointing to previous court rulings on presidential power over independent agencies. The White House has taken a strong stance against what it characterizes as resistance to legitimate executive authority.

🚨🇺🇸 FEDERAL JUDGE DENIES USIP REQUEST TO BLOCK DOGE TAKEOVER

A federal judge has denied the U.S. Institute of Peace’s (USIP) emergency request to halt DOGE’s dismantling of the organization, marking a significant legal win for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.… https://t.co/80UG5fyR7g pic.twitter.com/l5vpuDX0qn

— DOGE Tracker (@Tracking_DOGE) March 19, 2025

Physical Confrontation at USIP Headquarters

The dispute escalated into a physical standoff when DOGE representatives attempted to enter USIP headquarters. Institute staff initially refused entry and called police, creating a tense situation that required law enforcement intervention. Eventually, DOGE staff accessed the building with police assistance after the initial resistance from institute employees.

“Eventually, all the unauthorized individuals inside of the building complied with the acting USIP President’s request and left the building without further incident,” said police.

A White House spokesperson defended the administration’s actions in unequivocal terms: “Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage. The Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people.”

Part of Broader Government Streamlining Effort

The USIP takeover represents part of a larger initiative by the Trump administration to reduce federal government size and increase executive control over entities created by Congress. Other agencies affected by Trump’s executive order include the Inter-American Foundation and the US African Development Foundation, which have also taken legal action against the administration. These moves reflect President Trump’s commitment to streamlining government operations through DOGE.

While legal challenges continue, the court ruling on USIP establishes an important precedent for the administration’s authority. Democrats in Congress view these actions with concern, characterizing them as dismantling important US institutions. Top congressional Democrats, including New York Representative Gregory Meeks and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, have criticized what they describe as efforts “to recklessly dismantle historic US institutions piece by piece.”

As the legal and administrative battle continues, USIP’s future role in international conflict resolution and peace-building efforts remains uncertain under the new management structure imposed by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.