Government-funded office that held standoff against DOGE on ‘right path’ following judge’s order: admin
The Trump administration recently received a favorable ruling from a U.S. District Court in their ongoing battle with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The court denied a request from the USIP for a temporary restraining order, allowing the administration to move forward with their efforts to enforce the president’s executive actions.
A Trump administration official praised the court’s decision, stating that it affirms the president’s authority to appoint and remove board members of the USIP. This ruling ensures that the institute operates in alignment with executive directives, promoting accountability, transparency, and effective governance.
The USIP, an independent institution funded by Congress and established in 1984, found itself in the spotlight when the Trump administration fired 11 of its 14 board members for failing to comply with a February executive order to reduce its size to the statutory minimum.
The remaining board members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, appointed Kenneth Jackson as the acting president after firing George Moose, a Clinton-era diplomat. Moose, who accused the administration of unlawful dismantling of the institute, was replaced by Jackson, a State Department official.
The standoff between the administration and the USIP escalated when Jackson and a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team attempted to enter the institute’s building in Washington, D.C. Employees of the institute denied them access, leading to a confrontation that required police intervention.
Despite the resistance from the USIP, Jackson was able to enter the building with the support of law enforcement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the institute’s actions, accusing them of physically barricading themselves inside the building and disabling essential infrastructure.
This incident is not an isolated case, as a similar standoff occurred between DOGE and the U.S. African Development Foundation, where bureaucrats prevented the acting head of the U.S. Agency for International Development from entering the building. The foundation, established in 1980 to support African-owned enterprises, also faced challenges from the administration.
As the Trump administration continues to push for accountability and efficiency in government agencies, these conflicts highlight the ongoing struggles between political appointees and entrenched bureaucrats. The court’s ruling in favor of the administration underscores the president’s commitment to implementing change and upholding executive orders.
