Trump Admin Fires Most of US Institute of Peace’s Board, Replaces Leader

Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE took control of the US Institute of Peace building this week, removing its president amid disputes over White House authority to eliminate the Reagan-era organization.

Quick Takes

Trump ordered the US Institute of Peace to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law” as part of his government reduction agenda.
DOGE staff entered the USIP headquarters after removing most of its bipartisan board, with police ultimately escorting Kenneth Jackson inside.
USIP officials claim the organization is a private non-profit not under executive branch control.
George Moose, the removed acting president, called the takeover “illegal” and vowed legal action.
Jackson, a former State Department official, was installed as the new president.

Dramatic Takeover at US Institute of Peace

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) executed a dramatic leadership change at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters in Washington, DC. The confrontation came after Trump signed an executive order calling for the elimination of the USIP “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”

DOGE staff were reportedly refused entry into the building multiple times, but eventually gained entry, which led to the USIP calling police, according to The Guardian. However, DOGE revealed in a statement that officers eventually arrived and escorted Kenneth Jackson, the new acting president of the USIP, into headquarters. “The only unlawful individual was Mr. Moose, who refused to comply, and even tried to fire USIP’s private security team when said security team went to give access to Mr. Jackson,” DOGE said on social media. George Moose is the former president of the USIP, who was fired to make way for Jackson.

The takeover followed Trump’s decision to fire most of USIP’s bipartisan board of directors, leaving only three members including Senator Marco Rubio and Fox News host Pete Hegseth. The Trump administration justified the takeover by citing “non-compliance” with the president’s executive order, while USIP officials maintained the organization is independent of executive branch control as a congressionally-established, private non-profit organization with its own $55 million annual budget.

Mr. Moose denied lawful access to Kenneth Jackson, the Acting USIP President (as approved by the USIP Board). @DCPoliceDept arrived onsite and escorted Mr. Jackson into the building. The only unlawful individual was Mr. Moose, who refused to comply, and even tried to fire USIP’s… https://t.co/Fy8hJClx9E pic.twitter.com/yqq81qNKXM

— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) March 18, 2025

Disputed Authority Over Reagan-Era Institution

The US Institute of Peace, established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, works to prevent and resolve international conflicts through research, education, and field operations. The standoff highlighted fundamental disagreements about the organization’s governance structure and whether it falls under presidential authority. Moose vocally opposed the takeover, characterizing it as an illegal action against a private institution that operates independently of the White House, despite receiving federal funding through congressional appropriations.

The White House firmly rejected these claims, portraying USIP leadership as obstructing presidential authority. Trump administration spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the action as necessary to ensure compliance with presidential directives and accountability to American taxpayers.

Part of Broader Trump-Musk Government Reduction Efforts

The USIP takeover represents one element of Trump and Musk’s broader initiative to reduce government size and implement an “America First” agenda that scales back international aid and development programs. Other organizations targeted in the same executive order include the US African Development Foundation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the Presidio Trust. Senator Rubio has reportedly canceled over 80% of US development assistance, reflecting the administration’s view that such aid is often wasteful.

The confrontation drew political attention, with Democratic Congressman Don Beyer present at the scene to “conduct congressional oversight” over what he termed “DOGE’s break in.” The standoff ended without arrests after police escorted the new USIP president Jackson into the building. This action follows similar moves against US-funded international broadcasting organizations, including Voice of America, as the administration continues its effort to restructure government operations and reduce federal spending on international initiatives.