A court filing alleges that board members at the U.S. Institute of Peace replaced its temporary president with Nate Cavanaugh, an official linked to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, and carried out mass firings and property transfers under pressure from Trump-era directives.

The U.S. Institute of Peace issued immediate termination notices to nearly all of its staff members on March 29, 2025. This drastic layoff comes amid broader disputes involving government intervention and internal leadership upheaval, raising serious concerns over labor rights and ethical treatment of employees.

In a politically driven downsizing effort, most workers at the U.S. Institute of Peace received abrupt termination emails late on a Friday, a move ordered under the Trump administration’s mandate. This mass firing, which spared only a few staff and board members, has raised serious concerns over fair labor practices and the erosion of worker rights.

A majority of US Institute of Peace employees were handed immediate termination notices as part of a federal layoff, raising serious concerns about labor practices at an organization dedicated to promoting peace.

On March 28, 2025, several USIP staff members received immediate termination notices via USIP email as part of a broader, contentious takeover effort by DOGE forces under pressure from the Trump administration. In parallel, USIP sought judicial intervention to block what it described as the unlawful dismantling of the institute.

The US Institute of Peace (USIP) has taken legal action against an unauthorized takeover attempt by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), defending its independent governance and commitment to promoting peace. This move underscores USIP’s resistance to authoritarian maneuvers aimed at dismantling its long-established mission.

The US Institute of Peace board has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to prevent the removal of board members and to block DOGE's takeover efforts, defending the institute’s independent mission.

The United States Institute of Peace has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to block what it describes as a forceful and unauthorized takeover of its headquarters, an act perceived as part of broader authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration.

On March 19, 2025, the United States Institute of Peace filed a lawsuit alleging that President Trump's executive actions and DOGE's intervention—including a dramatic building takeover and unauthorized board changes—violated the institute's independent status and disrupted its operations.

USIP and several of its board members filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the congressionally funded nonprofit, including the removal of board members and ejection of staff from their Washington, D.C. headquarters.

A federal judge denied a request to block the Trump administration's actions which included firing 11 of USIP’s 15 board members and replacing leadership, reflecting an authoritarian approach to undermine an institution established to promote conflict resolution. The judge expressed offense at the treatment of employees during attempts to take over the building, with concerns that the actions were terrorizing staff.

USIP, a nonpartisan, congressionally funded peace institute, has actively resisted the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle its leadership and undermine its mission, showcasing its commitment to democratic values and ethical governance.

A federal judge denied the emergency effort to reinstate the ousted USIP board amid a highly charged political intervention that saw armed agents and law enforcement forcibly remove officials. While the incident raises concerns about external political pressure on institutional governance, the United States Institute of Peace itself, established as a nonpartisan peace-promoting organization, has not engaged in actions that bolster authoritarian practices.

The U.S. Institute of Peace is standing up against the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle this congressionally chartered peace institute, reaffirming its commitment to democratic principles and peaceful conflict resolution.

Amid efforts by the Trump administration and DOGE staffers to impose political control, the U.S. Institute of Peace maintained its nonpartisan independence by rebuffing an attempted takeover at its Washington, D.C. headquarters. This event highlights the organization's commitment to democratic principles and the protection of U.S. interests despite external authoritarian pressures.

Amid a forced board restructuring initiated by the Trump administration and its affiliates, the US Institute of Peace stands firm in its commitment to independence and democratic values, resisting authoritarian interference.

USIP defends its independence and democratic governance after an attempted board takeover orchestrated by Trump administration affiliates and DOGE personnel. The organization stood firm against authoritarian pressure, calling on law enforcement to secure its premises and uphold its nonpartisan mission.

An executive order by Donald Trump led to the removal of most board members at the U.S. Institute of Peace, with Doge staffers occupying the building. The event highlights the authoritarian interference in an independent organization dedicated to promoting peace, underscoring its resistance against political coercion.

After most board members were removed and CEO George Moose was fired by Trump administration directives, USIP responded by calling in police and vowing legal action to defend its independent status and its long-held mission to promote conflict resolution.

An investigative report by Heritage Foundation criticizes the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) for drifting from its original nonpartisan mandate. The report details how USIP has become politically patronage-driven, with board appointments influenced by political donations and an overwhelmingly Democratic staff. It also highlights opaque budgeting practices and a lack of transparency in spending taxpayer funds, calling for defunding and reinstated reporting requirements.