Friends of USIP

What Happened to USIP?

Over the last two weeks of March, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) illegally took over the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) and began brazenly dismantling the organization. Through a concerted campaign of coercion, deception, and force, DOGE first fired the Institute's Board of Directors and president and seized USIP's privately owned building.

DOGE then took over the Institute's computer systems, preventing employees from accessing critical communications platforms, sensitive documents related to their work, and even their own employee records. Nate Cavanaugh — a 28-year-old DOGE employee with no foreign policy experience who was appointed president of USIP by a Trump Board of Directors — then transferred ownership of USIP's $500 million privately owned building to the U.S. General Services Administration for free.

On Friday, March 28, DOGE fired over 95% of the Institute's domestic employees via email in the dead of night. These employees were provided no severance pay and told that their health insurance would expire in one business day. DOGE's actions have left terminated USIP staff at risk of severe health consequences from an unreasonable and inhumane recission of insurance. While the situation is dire for domestic employees, USIP's overseas staff are left with immense uncertainty, stranded in active conflict zones with no support staff in the U.S. to help navigate the complex and dangerous challenges they face.

Why does it matter?

DOGE's illegal dismantling of USIP hurts people, peace, and the rule of law:

  • Human Harm: USIP employees and contractors within the U.S. and abroad are suffering from ongoing irreparable harm because of DOGE's unlawful actions. They are at risk of severe health consequences from the abrupt cessation of health insurance, loss of immigration status, inability to recover economic redress, reputational harm, physical danger, and more. Federal workers were put on paid leave during DOGE’s agency reviews; USIP staff were put on the street.

  • Peace and Security: USIP is America's premier peacebuilding organization. Congress founded the Institute in 1984 to prevent and resolve violent conflict abroad. Since then, USIP has played a vital role in keeping America safe. At a time of rising international violent conflict, USIP’s dissolution hampers conflict prevention and signals that the United States does not support peace and security.

  • Separation of Powers: If the government's argument in USIP's case prevailed, it would have profound implications for the separation of powers and American democracy writ large. In short, the government contends that any independent agency that is not a court or part of Congress can be directly controlled by the president. USIP had a bipartisan Board and has always operated outside of government. A loss for USIP in this case imperils the independence of dozens of other congressionally authorized independent organizations from the Girl Scouts of the USA to the Federal Reserve.

How can I help?

Friends of USIP is a coalition of supporters, former employees, donors, and allies raising funds for USIP's legal defense. USIP employees, contractors, vendors, donors, and others who have suffered irreparable harm due to DOGE's actions have filed for a temporary restraining order to halt the federal government's ongoing illegal dismantling of USIP.

Please donate to support the plaintiffs in this case, which has significant workplace, national security, and constitutional implications.

Please also contact your congressional representatives and inform them about USIP’s case and its broader implications.