Judge denies Institute's lawsuit against DOGE takeover

The Trump administration has reacted to a recent court ruling regarding the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a government-funded organization. A federal judge denied a request from USIP to stop the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from taking over the office. The Trump administration claims this ruling supports their authority to manage the institute. USIP accused DOGE of unlawfully taking over its headquarters. The lawsuit aimed to prevent what they called a takeover, which could harm the institute's work on peace and conflict resolution. Following the ruling, a Trump administration official expressed support for USIP’s actions, stating they are moving in the right direction. The USIP was established in 1984 to promote peace and diplomacy. It recently made headlines after the Trump administration removed 11 of its 14 board members for refusing to comply with an executive order to reduce its size. This order aimed to bring the institute in line with statutory requirements. Kenneth Jackson was appointed the acting president after the firings. He, along with a DOGE team, tried to enter the building over the weekend but was initially denied access by USIP employees. The situation escalated, prompting police involvement. When police arrived, they were told there were unauthorized individuals in the building. Following police intervention, Jackson was able to enter without further conflict. Reports mentioned that USIP staff had barricaded themselves inside the building to resist the new leadership. Despite the tumult, the Trump administration asserts that USIP must comply with the president's directives and continues to push for change. This incident follows another standoff between DOGE and a separate agency, indicating ongoing tensions within government offices.