WASHINGTON (AP) — A standoff erupted at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on March 17, 2025, as the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, moved to take control of the agency, leading to police involvement and significant upheaval within its management. This incident arose shortly after most members of the board were dismissed under contentious circumstances, highlighting the growing tensions over the future of federal organizations.
The events leading to this confrontation began on March 14, when three remaining board members—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin—fired President and CEO George Moose. The dismissal came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s February 19 executive order targeting USIP and several other organizations for restructuring and reductions, part of his administration's broader efforts to restrain agencies involved with foreign assistance.
On March 17, DOGE staffers entered the USIP building, reportedly with the help of law enforcement officers, including agents from the FBI and D.C. police. Sophia Lin, USIP’s lawyer, reported the startling scene. “DOGE just came... they’re bringing the F.B.I. and brought a bunch of D.C. police,” she said, as she and other officials were escorted out of the premises.
George Moose, who contested his termination, described the takeover as illegal. “What has happened here today is an illegal takeover by elements of the executive branch of a private nonprofit,” he stated vehemently, emphasizing the institute’s congressional charter establishing its independent status and arguing against the authority Trump and Musk claimed over it.
The clashes serve as one of the more visible points of resistance against the Trump administration’s moves to consolidate control within federal agencies, particularly those historically regarded as independent. The USIP, established by Congress to promote peace and conflict resolution, has often been seen as opposed to the administration's foreign policy objectives.
Following their initial attempts to enter USIP's headquarters, which were rebuffed and left unsanctioned, DOGE members returned with police support this time. Colin O’Brien, the chief of security at USIP, indicated the situation escalated significantly, with police facilitating DOGE’s access after the institute’s private security team had their contract terminated. This determined action builds on the contentious atmosphere surrounding Trump's executive orders targeting entities like the African Development Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation.
Anna Kelly, White House spokesperson, defended the administration’s intention. She stated, “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.” This rhetoric reflects the administration's stance against organizations it perceives as failing to align with its vision for governance.
Throughout the previous weeks leading up to the conflict, DOGE exhibited persistent interest in USIP, but legal counsel warned against moves to dismantle what they believed was safeguarded by its independence. On March 14, the agency had previously rejected DOGE's overtures when they arrived with FBI agents but left after being informed of USIP's protective status. Despite these setbacks, the administration pushed forward with its plans.
The chaos and confrontation at the U.S. Institute of Peace not only spotlighted the controversy surrounding management and governance within federal agencies but also raised alarms over the limits of executive power and the rights of organizations like USIP to function autonomously from governmental oversight. Moose, affirming the institute's mission, noted, “I can’t think of how our work could align more perfectly with the goals outlined by Trump: keeping us out of foreign wars, resolving conflicts before they drag us [into war].”
The ramifications of this situation extend beyond USIP, as other federal organizations have faced similar threats under this administration. The African Development Foundation, which also encountered DOGE's aggressive moves, fought back legally but found itself thwarted by federal judges upholding the administration's right to terminate grants and personnel.
Beyond the immediate fallout at USIP, the department’s actions point toward broader strategies involving the restructuring of independent agencies, paving the way for altering their operational status and governance. The events of mid-March reveal the delicate balance of power between government agencies and their oversight, as well as the persistent debate over foreign aid and assistance, especially as framed by the current administration's priorities.
This unprecedented standoff is likely to have lasting impacts on the nature of public service agencies and how they will respond to this and similar restructuring crises. With resistance time and again from organizations like USIP, the struggle for preserving independence against administrative control will likely continue at the heart of federal governance discussions.
