Trump Administration Removes U.S. Institute of Peace Leadership \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Trump administration has ousted most of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) board members and fired its president. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency entered USIP’s headquarters, prompting legal threats. USIP leadership claims the executive action is illegal, highlighting growing tension over foreign assistance agencies.
Quick Looks
- Trump administration fires most USIP board members and President George Moose.
- Executive order aims to reduce agencies involved in foreign assistance.
- Remaining board members include Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, and Peter Garvin.
- DOGE staff entered USIP headquarters despite protests and police intervention.
- USIP claims independent nonprofit status protected by congressional charter.
- Moose vows legal action against what he calls an “illegal takeover.”
- The administration cites noncompliance with the February 19 executive order.
- DOGE had previously been denied access, now supported by law enforcement.
- Other organizations targeted include African Development Foundation and Inter-American Foundation.
- Lawsuits are pending over agency closures and leadership removals.
Deep Look
In a sweeping and controversial move, the Trump administration has dismissed nearly the entire board of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and forcibly removed its president and CEO, George Moose. This aggressive action, carried out on Monday, came in response to a February 19 executive order signed by President Donald Trump targeting multiple organizations involved in foreign assistance and conflict resolution for restructuring or closure.
The firing of Moose and the dismissal of most of the USIP board members was authorized by the three remaining board members — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin — according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. The removal of Moose on Friday set the stage for Monday’s high-tension confrontation.
At the heart of the dispute is USIP’s status as a congressionally funded independent nonprofit, established in 1984 to advance U.S. interests in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and good governance. Although it receives federal funding, the organization is not considered part of the executive branch and is protected under its congressional charter. USIP leadership maintains that it is neither a government-controlled corporation nor an independent federal establishment, and therefore should not be subject to executive orders that apply to federal agencies.
Despite these legal arguments, the Trump administration pushed forward. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created under Trump’s broader effort to reduce government spending and bureaucracy, has been monitoring and attempting to intervene at USIP for weeks. On Friday, DOGE officials, accompanied by two FBI agents, were turned away from the building by USIP’s legal counsel, who cited the organization’s private nonprofit status.
However, on Monday afternoon, DOGE officials, this time with the support of local police, succeeded in entering USIP’s headquarters — located across the street from the State Department. According to senior USIP officials speaking on condition of anonymity, DOGE representatives had tried multiple times to gain access and were previously rebuffed. The police presence helped ensure DOGE’s entry, and USIP’s private security contract was reportedly terminated immediately thereafter.
Following the takeover, George Moose emerged from the building and addressed the press. He called the action “an illegal takeover by elements of the executive branch of a private nonprofit” and announced plans to pursue legal action. Moose emphasized the importance of USIP’s work, stating that their mission — to prevent conflict and keep the United States out of foreign wars — directly aligns with Trump’s stated foreign policy priorities. Despite repeated attempts to clarify USIP’s status with DOGE and White House officials, Moose said their explanations had fallen on deaf ears.
The White House, however, defended its decision. Spokesperson Anna Kelly accused USIP of “noncompliance” with the executive order and declared that the administration would not allow “rogue bureaucrats” to defy presidential authority. She confirmed that 11 board members were lawfully removed and that the remaining members had appointed Kenneth Jackson as the acting president of USIP. Jackson, who was seen attempting to enter the building earlier on Monday, now assumes leadership under highly contentious circumstances.
This confrontation is part of a broader pattern of dismantling agencies associated with foreign assistance. The Trump administration has already targeted the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), significantly reduced the Department of Education’s scope, and begun dismantling other organizations with international ties. Along with USIP, Trump’s executive order identified the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), and the Presidio Trust for restructuring or closure.
The African Development Foundation, which invests in small businesses across Africa, also resisted DOGE intervention, attempting to block entry to its offices. However, a federal judge ruled last week that the administration’s decision to remove most of its grants and staff was legal. Meanwhile, the president of the Inter-American Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to challenge her termination.
Moose expressed concern that these sweeping actions would undermine America’s soft-power influence around the world. He warned that dismantling institutions like USIP could have long-term consequences for U.S. diplomatic engagement and conflict resolution capabilities. USIP’s supporters argue that the organization plays a vital role in addressing conflicts before they escalate, a function that aligns with broader U.S. strategic interests.
DOGE’s persistent pursuit of control over USIP raises important questions about executive authority and the independence of congressionally chartered entities. Legal experts are closely watching this case, as it could set a precedent regarding how far executive orders can reach in reconfiguring institutions with hybrid federal-private structures.
As the situation develops, lawsuits are expected to multiply. George Moose’s legal team is preparing to challenge the Trump administration’s authority over USIP, and other organizations named in the executive order are likely to follow. The conflict reflects growing tensions between the Trump administration’s drive to reduce federal influence and the existence of long-standing entities designed to advance U.S. interests in complex global environments.
Ultimately, the forced ousting of USIP’s leadership has created not just a legal and political battle, but also a philosophical one — questioning how America balances efficient governance with international engagement, and whether efforts to downsize government will come at the expense of global leadership and stability.
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