Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency launches a clean sweep at the US Institute of Peace, firing nearly all staff as part of an aggressive effort to eliminate wasteful spending and inefficiencies in government operations.
At a Glance
- President Trump’s DOGE team has laid off nearly all US-based employees of the congressionally funded US Institute of Peace (an agency few have ever heard of)
- The Trump administration justified the action citing the organization’s failure to deliver peace and the need to save taxpayer dollars
- Washington police helped DOGE staff gain access to USIP headquarters after initially being denied entry
- A lawsuit challenging the takeover is ongoing, though a judge has denied a temporary restraining order against the administration
DOGE Takes Control of Peace Institute
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has taken dramatic action against the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) as part of President Trump’s drive to slash government waste. Nearly all U.S.-based employees of the congressionally funded think tank received immediate termination notices, with only human resources personnel and overseas staff temporarily spared from the sweeping cuts. The move follows an executive order from President Trump that targeted USIP and three other agencies for shutdown in an aggressive push to streamline federal operations.
The takeover wasn’t without resistance, as DOGE staff needed assistance from Washington police to gain access to USIP’s headquarters after initially being turned away. Once inside, DOGE representatives took control of the facility and computer systems, marking a decisive implementation of the president’s mandate to eliminate what the administration views as bloated and ineffective government organizations. The terminated employees have been given until April 7 to clear out their desks, bringing a swift end to many careers at the 40-year-old institution.
Administration Defends Action as Fiscally Responsible
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly strongly defended the administration’s actions, stating that the President “is carrying out his mandate to eliminate bloat and save taxpayer dollars.” Kelly didn’t mince words when discussing the effectiveness of the institute, declaring that it “has failed to deliver peace” despite decades of operation and taxpayer funding. This straightforward assessment aligns perfectly with President Trump’s campaign promises to drain the swamp and eliminate wasteful government spending that produces few tangible results for American citizens.
“We are the other tool in the toolbox,” said Mary Glantz, a former senior adviser at USIP, attempting to defend the organization’s role in conflict resolution. However, the administration clearly views the institute as an expendable expense that hasn’t justified its cost to taxpayers over its four decades of existence.
Legal Battle Unfolds
A lawsuit challenging the administration’s actions has been filed, but U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell denied a temporary restraining order that would have blocked the changes. While the judge expressed personal concerns about DOGE’s methods, she ultimately recognized the executive branch’s authority to make such changes. “I am very offended by how DOGE has operated at the institute and treated American citizens trying to do a job that they were statutorily tasked to do, but that concern about how this has gone down is not one that can sway me in the factors of a TRO,” Howell stated during proceedings.
Looking Forward
The takeover of USIP represents a significant step in President Trump’s broader effort to reshape federal agencies and reduce government spending. The administration has offered terminated employees an additional cash payment and one month of healthcare coverage if they agree not to take legal action against USIP, providing a path forward for those affected by the changes. Meanwhile, USIP’s former leadership continues to argue that the organization plays a unique and valuable role in global conflict resolution that the military and State Department cannot replicate.
The situation raises important questions about executive authority and government efficiency. A USIP employee told NPR, “This is part of a much larger and more profound issue about the unitary executive and when the executive wins an election, whether they can do whatever they want with any federal funds.” As this legal battle continues, it sets the stage for potential similar actions across other federal agencies as the administration works to fulfill its promises of smaller government and fiscal responsibility.
