The Trump administration has undertaken significant changes at the U.S. Institute of Peace by dismissing most of its board members and assigning a new leader to its Washington headquarters, aligning with its recent efforts to re-evaluate agencies associated with foreign aid. The remaining board members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin, terminated President and CEO George Moose last Friday.
This change follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, signed the previous month, aiming for downsizing organizations like the Institute, which has been operational for over four decades. Those currently employed at USIP reported an unexpected visit from officials of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency who entered the premises despite protests. USIP asserts that it functions independently and is not a part of the executive branch, calling for police assistance when the DOGE representatives arrived on Monday.
The U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonprofit funded by Congress, focuses on promoting American principles in conflict resolution and governance. George Moose has threatened legal action against what he describes as an unlawful takeover by the executive branch. He highlights that the institute, situated near the State Department, does not fall under federal jurisdiction.
According to USIP officials, the DOGE personnel, after several failed attempts to access the building last Friday, succeeded in entering on Monday. The sensitive nature of the situation has led officials to speak anonymously. One of Trump’s directives from February 19 aims to reduce the size of the federal government, which includes reforming various organizations like the U.S. Agency for International Development and cutting programs within others, such as the Education Department.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly cites USIP’s “failure to comply” with the executive order as justification for the removal of 11 board members, naming Kenneth Jackson as acting president. Jackson was reportedly seen attempting to enter the institute’s facility earlier that day. Moose criticizes the upheaval, mentioning that the organization aligns with Trump’s goals of staying away from foreign conflicts and proactively resolving disputes.
DOGE has shown a vested interest in USIP, but legal barriers had previously prevented similar actions as implemented in other agencies. On Friday, accompanied by FBI agents, DOGE members were initially stopped when USIP’s legal representatives pointed out its non-federal status. Nonetheless, on Monday, law enforcement aided DOGE officials to enter the building. Meanwhile, USIP’s private security contractor saw their agreement canceled.
Established in 1984 as a congressionally funded independent nonprofit, USIP maintains that it does not fall under standard federal designations. This reorganization push also targets other bodies like the U.S. African Development Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation, both of which have engaged in legal efforts to resist similar federal actions. The president of the Inter-American Foundation has even taken legal steps to prevent her dismissal.
