What Happened to USIP?

Over the last two weeks of March 2025, 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 then seized USIP's privately owned building.

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.

On May 19, 2025, Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of USIP in a case brought by members of the Institute's Board and Acting President George Moose. In her ruling, she declared that the firing of the Plaintiffs was illegal, rendering all subsequent actions null and void. USIP’s original leadership then retook control of the organization and the headquarters building. DOGE et al filed an intent to appeal.

On May 21, DOGE filed a request for a stay of that ruling pending the appeal process; Judge Howell denied this request.

This ruling on the request for a stay was itself appealed and on Friday, June 27, a three-judge motions panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted the government’s request for a stay. This put DOGE back in control of USIP and its headquarters building as the appeals process continued

On July 11, DOGE fired all but a handful of USIP’s staff for a second time.

Under an expedited schedule, the D.C. Circuit will be in a position to issue its ruling on DOGE et al’s appeal in early November 2025.

Why does it matter?

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

• 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?

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