Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE Clash with U.S. Institute of Peace Over Personnel Cuts
A tense standoff between President Donald Trump’s administration and the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to conflict resolution, reached a dramatic climax this week, marked by a public confrontation and police involvement. The conflict stems from the administration’s efforts, spearheaded by Trump and his ally Elon Musk through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to drastically reduce bureaucracy and streamline federal agencies.
Since last Friday, DOGE officials have repeatedly sought access to the USIP’s Washington, D.C., headquarters but were denied entry, citing the organization’s independent status. On Monday, the DOGE team returned unannounced, this time accompanied by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department. With the police’s assistance, they gained access to the institute’s offices, escalating the conflict and raising concerns about executive overreach.
The initial months of Trump’s second term have been characterized by his administration’s aggressive push to shrink the federal government. With Musk playing a key role, the administration has initiated workforce purges across various departments and has openly targeted entire agencies for closure. These efforts are rooted in the belief that the federal government is bloated and inefficient, requiring drastic measures to streamline its operations and reduce costs.
The friction between the administration and USIP intensified after Trump issued an executive order last month directing four agencies, including USIP, to minimize their personnel and functions to the bare minimum required by law within a two-week timeframe. This directive triggered a series of events, including the expulsion of nearly a dozen USIP board members and repeated confrontations between the organization and DOGE officials.
Adding to the controversy, Trump recently overhauled the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ousting several board members and installing himself as the new chairman. The moves echo DOGE’s recent actions to significantly reduce the scope and function of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), leaving many concerned about the erosion of independent expertise and nonpartisan approaches in essential government functions.
Established by Congress in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, the U.S. Institute of Peace is dedicated to resolving violent conflicts around the world. The organization describes itself as a "lean and cost-effective national security tool" on its website, emphasizing its efficiency and value in promoting global peace and stability. USIP officials have consistently argued that the institute’s status as an independent organization exempts it from DOGE’s directives and Trump’s executive orders.
Last Friday, DOGE representatives, accompanied by FBI agents, initially attempted to enter the USIP building, but they left after the institute’s external counsel asserted USIP’s private status as a non-executive branch agency. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s actions, stating that they were in response to USIP’s noncompliance with Trump’s February reduction order. "Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage," Kelly said. "The Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people."
Monday’s events, which involved police assisting DOGE officials in entering the USIP headquarters, appear to signify a significant escalation in the confrontation. According to the New York Times, George Moose, who was removed from his position as president of the institute but is contesting the dismissal, stated, "DOGE has broken into our building."
Prior to the physical conflict, the president removed 11 of the 14 board members, retaining only Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin. The remaining board members voted to remove Moose and replace him with State Department official Kenneth Jackson. Jackson was present alongside DOGE staffers on Monday when Musk’s team gained entry to the institute’s headquarters with police support.
Moose, speaking to the press outside the office building, accused DOGE officials of unlawful entry, as reported by the New York Times. "What has happened here today is an illegal takeover by elements of the executive branch of a private nonprofit corporation," he declared.
The confrontation has triggered widespread debate about the balance of power between the executive branch and independent agencies. Critics of the administration’s actions argue that Trump and Musk are undermining the independence of institutions like USIP and USAID, potentially jeopardizing their ability to effectively fulfill their missions. Supporters, however, maintain that the changes are necessary to eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and ensure accountability within the federal government.
The events at the U.S. Institute of Peace represent a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the size and scope of the federal government and the role of independent organizations in shaping public policy. The outcome of this conflict will likely have implications for other agencies and nonprofits that may be targeted by the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline and reshape the federal landscape. The legal battles and public discourse surrounding these actions are expected to continue in the coming weeks and months.
