DOGE’s offensive to capture the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has officially ended. A recent federal court ruling put an end to the harmful effort. The Trump administration made multiple troubling moves in this litigation. These ranged from rear firing board members to attempts to forcibly take possession of the USIP’s headquarters, a building worth roughly $500 million. In the end, a U.S. District Court judge sided with DOGE and the government, reinstating the previous USIP board and staff.
On March 14, the Trump administration dismissed all ten voting members of the board of USIP. This action opened the door for DOGE to dominate. Soon after, on March 25th, Nate Cavanaugh, an initial DOGE champion within the City’s workforce, was selected for DOGE’s first director. Under DOGE’s direction, Cavanaugh was instructed to transfer USIP’s assets—including its headquarters—to the General Services Administration without charge.
DOGE’s strategy included partnering with Inter-Con. This contract security firm, used by USIP, assisted USIP with accessing the occupied building on March 21. USIP officials defended themselves by citing their decision to suspend Inter-Con’s contract after DOGE and its partners tried to come in. On March 16, two FBI agents further raised the ante by interrogating a senior USIP security official at his residence. They specifically asked for information on how to get in to the headquarters and speak out.
Picture this, even with such aggressive measures DOGE’s plans weren’t without legal trouble. On April 1, DOGE representatives attempted to reenter the USIP headquarters again. They were joined by FBI agents, but were met with opposition and turned away. On March 21, six USIP staffers were issued termination notices, including three members of the USIP’s research staff. By March 28, all but a handful of the remaining employees had been fired.
The situation culminated in a court ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell, who stated that DOGE’s actions “represented a gross usurpation of power.” She focused on how the president’s efforts to take over the organization far exceeded the authority laid out by Congress in the enabling statutes. He employed intimidation tactics through the backing of local and federal law enforcement officers.
“represented a gross usurpation of power” – Judge Beryl Howell
Russell Vought, the Office of Management and Budget director, approved the asset transfer on March 28. As luck would have it, someone later challenged this decision in court. Initially suspended because of the alleged misuse of funds, the former board and staff members had sued USIP for reinstatement—an argument that a Washington, D.C. This ruling in essence sunk DOGE’s hostile takeover.
President Donald Trump had previously indicated that the administration was focused on “commencing the reduction of the federal bureaucracy,” suggesting that such actions were part of broader efforts to streamline government functions.
“to extend the United States’ soft power internationally” – government
The court’s ruling is a big victory for DOGE and the Trump administration in their efforts to take USIP under DOGE’s control. The ruling restores governance to the original board and staff members, reinforcing their position against what was deemed an unlawful takeover attempt.
March also saw DOGE-affiliated members viciously oust board members and staff. Now they are losing in this legal battle. The defendants now have 30 days to file a notice of appeal as they consider their next steps.
Leave a Reply