Officials aligned with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk took control of the US Institute of Peace (USIP) on Monday, removing its acting president as part of cost-cutting measures aimed at restructuring government institutions.
The move, which unfolded without violence, marks one of Trump’s most dramatic efforts to dismantle long-standing institutions under his “America First” agenda.
Institute Targeted for Elimination
Last month, Trump issued an order calling for the elimination of USIP “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The institute, established in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, was tasked with preventing and resolving international conflicts.
In response, USIP stated it was cooperating with Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and had presented evidence of its cost-effectiveness. The institute emphasized that it owns its headquarters—a modern building near the State Department—and operates on a $55 million annual budget allocated by Congress.
Despite these assurances, DOGE remained unconvinced.
Tense Standoff and Leadership Removal
On Monday, DOGE personnel attempted to enter the building, but USIP initially denied them access. Later, acting president George Moose issued a statement declaring, “DOGE has broken into our building.”
The Trump administration then announced the dismissal of all board members, except for three individuals, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In a statement posted on X, DOGE confirmed that the new board had voted to remove Moose from his position.
Moose, a former US ambassador, expressed dismay at the development. “It’s not a happy day for anybody. The fact that this misunderstanding of our mission has escalated to this level is deeply concerning,” he told reporters after his removal.
New Leadership and Wider Implications
The newly appointed president, Kenneth Jackson, is a former State Department official known for leading efforts to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Under Rubio’s leadership, more than 80% of US development aid has already been cut, with Trump frequently dismissing foreign assistance as a waste of taxpayer funds.
Since returning to office, Trump and Musk have aggressively sought to eliminate entire government agencies, despite facing legal challenges from Congress, which holds constitutional authority over funding.
Over the weekend, Trump also moved to shut down decades-old US-funded international broadcasting networks, including Voice of America (VOA).
