Trump administration removes leaders of U.S. Institute of Peace
- In February 2025, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order that targeted the U.S. Institute of Peace for elimination and restructuring.
- Following this order, most of the board members of USIP were dismissed, and a new acting president was appointed.
- The situation escalated into a conflict involving police intervention as disputes arose over the legitimacy of the new leadership and access to the organization's headquarters.
In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting multiple government entities, including the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a congressionally funded independent nonprofit. This order led to the dismissal of most members of the USIP board, as well as the removal of its President and CEO, George Moose, with Kenneth Jackson appointed as the new acting president. Security concerns arose when members of the Department of Government Efficiency entered the USIP headquarters, leading to a call for police assistance due to the tensions between outgoing board members and the new leadership enforcers. Both sides expressed legal concerns over the legitimacy of the actions taken. The USIP, established over 40 years ago, was specifically targeted to streamline foreign assistance efforts, aligning with the Trump administration's broader goal of reducing government size. The removal of the USIP board signifies a shift in how foreign assistance and conflict resolution efforts may be approached by the federal government moving forward. The turmoil raised questions about the independence of nonprofit organizations tied to government operations as the administration enacts changes that could redefine their missions and operations.