DOGE Team Storms US Institute of Peace HQ in Dramatic Standoff Over Trump’s Dismantling Order

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and independent agencies, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) stormed the headquarters of the US Institute of Peace (USIP) on Monday. The move followed President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the agency, sparking a standoff that involved police intervention and an unexpected eviction.

A Clash Over Peace and Efficiency

The DOGE team, acting on Trump’s orders, initially attempted to take control of the USIP headquarters but was rebuffed by agency officials, who cited their independent status under US law. After multiple attempts, the DOGE team, accompanied by law enforcement, forcibly entered the building, leading to a tense confrontation.

The Trump administration has been targeting foreign assistance programs as part of its broader push for government efficiency. Last Friday, the remaining three members of the USIP board—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin—dismissed USIP President and CEO George Moose. This move followed a February 19 executive order by Trump aimed at reducing the budgets of foreign aid organizations.

USIP Fights Back

USIP, a congressionally funded but independent nonprofit focused on conflict resolution and governance, has vehemently opposed the administration’s actions. Moose denounced the takeover as “illegal” and vowed to take legal action. “It was very clear that there was a desire on the part of the administration to dismantle a lot of what we call foreign assistance,” he told the Associated Press.

The organization argues that its nonprofit status legally shields it from executive interference. Established in 1984 as an independent entity, USIP does not meet the federal criteria for a government-controlled agency. Despite this, the White House has appointed Kenneth Jackson as acting president, accusing USIP of “noncompliance” with Trump’s order.

Broader Implications

The standoff at USIP is part of a larger conflict between the Trump administration and independent agencies. Trump’s executive order also targets the US African Development Foundation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the Presidio Trust. Legal battles have already begun, with the African Development Foundation losing a court case over staff cuts, while the Inter-American Foundation’s president has sued to block her dismissal.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s actions, stating, “Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage.” However, critics argue that the move undermines the independence of organizations dedicated to peace and development.

The storming of the US Institute of Peace headquarters by the DOGE team marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle foreign assistance programs. As legal battles unfold, the clash highlights the tension between government efficiency and the independence of organizations dedicated to peace and development. The outcome of this standoff could have far-reaching implications for the future of foreign aid and governance in the United States.

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