Trump Admin Takes Control of US Institute of Peace, Replaces President

Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency takes control of the US Institute of Peace, sparking a legal standoff over executive authority and the independence of a Reagan-era institution.

Key Insights

The Trump administration removed the president of the US Institute of Peace (USIP) and installed Kenneth Jackson as new leader, claiming the institute failed to comply with executive orders.
USIP officials maintain they are a private non-profit corporation, not part of the executive branch, making the takeover “illegal.”
DOGE staff, led by Elon Musk, entered the USIP building with police escort after an initial standoff.
The institute was established by Ronald Reagan in 1984 and receives $55 million annually from Congress.
The action is part of Trump’s broader effort to reduce government size and implement his “America First” agenda.

DOGE Enters USIP Headquarters Amid Controversy

On Monday, staff from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) entered the US Institute of Peace building in Washington D.C., removing its president George Moose in what became a contentious confrontation. The institute, established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 to prevent and resolve international conflicts, became the latest target in the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government. DOGE personnel, accompanied by Metropolitan Police officers, escorted newly appointed USIP president Kenneth Jackson into the building despite resistance from existing leadership.

The confrontation stemmed from Trump’s recent executive order directing USIP to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The administration fired most of the institute’s bipartisan board, leaving only three members including Senator Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth. This newly constituted board subsequently removed Moose and appointed Jackson, a former State Department official, as the new president.

Dispute Over Legal Authority

At the heart of the standoff is a fundamental disagreement about USIP’s status and the White House’s authority over it. Moose and USIP officials maintain the institute is not part of the executive branch but rather a private non-profit corporation created by Congress. When DOGE staff initially attempted to enter the building, they were rebuffed, leading to a dramatic scene witnessed by onlookers and congressional representatives.

The White House, however, remains firm in its position that USIP must comply with presidential directives. The administration cited “non-compliance” with Trump’s order as justification for the board changes and leadership replacement. White House officials characterized the resistance as bureaucratic obstruction rather than a legitimate legal dispute.

DOGE staff enter U.S. Institute of Peace building after standoff https://t.co/5iTBcfBU4K

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Broader Government Reduction Efforts

The USIP takeover represents just one element of President Trump’s broader agenda to reduce government size and spending. The institute argues it is cost-effective, noting it owns its building and operates with a $55 million annual budget from Congress. However, DOGE leadership, under Elon Musk’s direction, remains unconvinced of its value. The executive order targeting USIP also named other organizations including the US African Development Foundation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the Presidio Trust.

Congressional oversight has emerged as another dimension to the conflict. Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.) was present during the incident to “conduct congressional oversight” over what he termed “DOGE’s break in.” Legal actions have already been taken by other affected organizations targeted in the executive order, with mixed outcomes in court. USIP leaders have vowed to pursue legal remedies to challenge what they consider an overreach of executive authority.

Foreign Aid and America First

The USIP situation reflects the administration’s skepticism toward foreign aid and international engagement. Senator Marco Rubio, one of the remaining board members, has already canceled over 80% of US development assistance, aligning with Trump’s view of foreign aid as wasteful spending. Similarly, the administration has moved to cut US-funded international broadcasting, including Voice of America, as part of its “America First” approach to global engagement.

As the legal battle unfolds, questions remain about the limits of presidential authority over congressionally established organizations. The USIP confrontation highlights the tensions between executive power and organizational independence that will likely define many aspects of government operations under the Trump administration. For now, Kenneth Jackson has assumed leadership of the institute with DOGE’s backing, while former officials prepare their legal response.