Employees from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) entered the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), despite protests from the organization, which insists it operates independently and is not part of the executive branch.
George Moose, the CEO of USIP, expressed his concern by stating, “DOGE has broken into our building.” The situation escalated to a point where USIP employees called the police, reporting what they considered a break-in. Police responded and were present at the USIP headquarters in Northwest D.C. on Monday evening.
Moose clarified that USIP is a private entity with its own board and funding mechanisms that allow it to go directly to Congress. He noted, “The employees of our building are not federal employees. Somehow, all of those arguments have not prevailed.”
The DOGE staff had attempted to access the building earlier in the week and had been turned away on Friday. A senior USIP official, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed their eventual entry.
Not much is known about the DOGE employees’ intentions at the USIP, which is located near the State Department. Moose, while deeming the entry unlawful, acknowledged that such an action felt inevitable given the ongoing political climate surrounding government restructuring.
In a February 19 executive order, former President Trump targeted several independent agencies, including USIP, as part of an effort to reduce the size of the federal government. This order has prompted actions to termination programs and staff at these organizations.
For weeks, DOGE sought a role within the USIP, but legal counsel advised against it, claiming that USIP’s status protected it from the types of reorganization affecting other federal entities. On one occasion, DOGE even came with two FBI agents, but they departed when informed about USIP’s independent status.
Established by Congress in 1984, the USIP aims to promote peace and prevent conflict globally. It is characterized as a nonpartisan nonprofit corporation that does not fall under the definitions of government or independent establishments outlined in U.S. law.
Similar pressures have affected other agencies listed in Trump’s executive order, such as the U.S. African Development Foundation and the Inter-American Foundation. A federal judge recently ruled that the African Development Foundation could legally remove staff as part of this reorganization process.
This ongoing conflict underscores a growing trend where independent agencies face pressures from federal authorities, influencing their operations and staff composition. As government evolves, the boundaries of independence for organizations like USIP and others are increasingly challenged.
The implications of this situation could resonate beyond the immediate organizations involved, as it raises questions about the future of independent entities and their role in government today.
For more insights on the effects of executive orders on independent agencies, you can read this USA Today article.
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