A Fight Over Control: US Institute of Peace vs. The Trump Administration
U.S. Peace Institute Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Following DOGE Seizure
In an astonishing turn of events, the US Institute of Peace (USIP) has taken the Trump administration to court, alleging unlawful actions and a battle for control. Here's the lowdown on this escalating conflict.
The legal battle stems from the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) takeover of USIP and the gutting of its board by administration personnel. The confrontation went as far as DOGE's forceful attempt to gain access to the USIP headquarters last Monday after being turned away the previous week. This dramatic escalation followed the administration's decision to terminate most of the USIP board members last Friday.
USIP, an independent, nonpartisan organization established by Congress in 1984, is not a federal agency. The institute owns and manages its headquarters. A declaration filed as part of the lawsuit from the institute's chief security officer claims that a USIP employee, who possesses the technological capability to access the USIP's systems, was allegedly ordered to access the infrastructure and grant access to DOGE personnel later that evening.
The complaint argues that the Trump administration's actions, including alleged destruction and modification of files, are causing "irreparable harm" against USIP. It seeks an injunction to block DOGE from further access to USIP's property, facilities, computer systems, files, and records. Moreover, it seeks to nullify the administration's efforts to oust the USIP board of directors and its acting president.
The lawsuit alleges that the appointment of Kenneth Jackson as the new president is not valid. It asks the court to declare that the previous acting president, Amb. George Moose, lawfully remains the president of the Institute. The case has been assigned to Judge Beryl Howell.
Interestingly, the controversy arises from an executive order by President Donald Trump to reduce the scope of federal bureaucracy, which targeted the USIP and three other agencies for significant downsizing. The ousted board members were replaced by Kenneth Jackson, an administrator from the U.S. Agency for International Development, sparking this legal dispute.
In a series of allegations, the USIP claims that the Trump administration engaged in unauthorized and illegal actions by attempting to take control of USIP's systems and property without authority. The lawsuit warns that these actions could cause irreparable harm by preventing the institute from fulfilling its lawful functions and potentially destroying it.
Recently, Judge Beryl Howell expressed concerns about the clarity of the complaint and the likelihood of success on the merits, leading to the denial of a temporary restraining order (TRO) submitted by the USIP. This decision marks the beginning of an ongoing legal battle between the USIP and the Trump administration. This case is part of a broader legal challenge to the Trump administration's efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy and exert control over independent agencies.
- The plaintiffs, US Institute of Peace (USIP), are seeking an injunction to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from further access to USIP's property, facilities, computer systems, files, and records, due to the administration's alleged destruction and modification of files.
- In the lawsuit, USIP argues that the Trump administration's actions, including the attempted takeover of USIP's systems and property, have caused "irreparable harm" against the institute and seek to nullify the administration's efforts to oust the USIP board of directors and its acting president.
- The lawsuit also alleges that the appointment of Kenneth Jackson as the new president is not valid, and it asks the court to declare that the previous acting president, Amb. George Moose, lawfully remains the president of the Institute.
