Court Stay Returns Peace Institute to Trump Administration

    0
    0

    In Washington, a federal appeals court panel has temporarily overturned a decision that blocked the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). This overturning allows the administration to proceed with its agenda, which involved the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), previously spearheaded by Elon Musk, taking over the institute in March.

    The three-judge panel from the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit announced the decision, indicating that the Trump administration’s appeal against the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell stands a good chance of prevailing. According to the panel, impeding the president’s ability to exercise his executive powers would result in “irreparable harm.”

    The government had argued in its filings that the USIP was wielding significant executive power through its activities, including programmatic initiatives, grant-making, and peacebuilding efforts. It emphasized that board members were subjected to the president’s at-will removal authority. The appeals court sided with this viewpoint, noting that the nonprofit’s activities fall within the executive branch’s domain.

    A spokesperson for the White House, Anna Kelly, celebrated the decision, highlighting it as a triumph for taxpayers. She reiterated the administration’s position that the president should have the freedom to govern executive branch entities, including the USIP, which she criticized for its substantial costs without delivering on its core mission of peacebuilding. Kelly expressed enthusiasm for continuing with Trump’s agenda focused on government efficiency.

    This decision is the latest chapter in the saga surrounding USIP’s shutdown, following its temporary restoration to its board’s control after Judge Howell’s ruling on May 19. The shutdown has left the institute’s future in uncertainty, disrupting efforts to resume its operations.

    President Trump, back in February, signed an executive order aimed at closing USIP alongside other governmental agencies as part of his campaign promise to reduce the federal government’s scope. Initially, when DOGE attempted to take over the institute’s headquarters, they faced resistance, leading to a notable standoff. The DOGE team, supported by the FBI and local law enforcement, finally managed to gain entry.

    USIP and many of its board members subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on March 18, seeking to block their removal and DOGE’s takeover. Following this, the institute’s board was dismissed via email, creating chaos among the workforce. DOGE then handed over administrative responsibilities and assets of the institute to the General Services Administration that very weekend.

    However, Judge Howell later found that Trump’s actions were illegal, determining that USIP was not part of the executive branch. Her opinion invalidated actions including the mass firings and takeover of USIP’s headquarters and assets. Her ruling reinstated the organization’s board and acting president, George Moose, and allowed efforts to restart its operations, although many employees remained furloughed and some global operations still paused.

    Friday’s court development has left the future management of the USIP headquarters uncertain. The institute responded with a press release asserting its determination to uphold its congressional mandate and maintain control over its resources and activities, both domestically and in global conflict zones. They voiced confidence in ultimately prevailing in their legal battle to continue their vital peacebuilding work.