Judge Beryl Howell denies U.S. Institute for Peace’s TRO request against DOGE

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Trump administration after a government-funded nonprofit organization, the U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP), filed a lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to protect itself from ongoing destruction.

The USIP had filed a request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) claiming that DOGE had committed trespass and takeover by force of the Institute’s headquarters building on Constitution Avenue. The organization also accused DOGE of ongoing destruction of its physical and electronic property, stating that this conduct would cause irreparable harm and prevent the Institute from performing its lawful functions.

However, Judge Beryl Howell denied the USIP’s request for a TRO, citing concerns about the confusion in the complaint and the organization’s likelihood of success. Howell, who was appointed as a senior judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2024, expressed discomfort with how DOGE had operated but stated that emergency relief was not warranted in this case.

USIP, established in 1984 under the Reagan administration, is an independent institution funded by Congress with the goal of preventing violent conflicts and brokering peace deals abroad. The organization had notably not complied with President Trump’s executive order to reduce the size of federal bureaucracy, leading to the firing of 11 of its 14 board members last week.

Following the ruling, the White House emphasized its commitment to enforcing the president’s executive authority and holding agencies accountable to the American people. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that “rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage” and that the Trump administration would ensure agencies remain accountable.

In conclusion, the ruling in favor of the Trump administration represents a significant development in the ongoing dispute between USIP and DOGE. The decision by Judge Howell highlights the complexities of the case and the importance of upholding the rule of law in disputes between government agencies and nonprofit organizations.