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A dramatic clash unfolded on Monday as President Donald Trump’s team, alongside his billionaire ally Elon Musk, took control of the US Institute of Peace, removing the president of the taxpayer-funded conflict resolution centre.
This move is part of Trump’s broader push to cut government spending and advance his “America First” agenda.
Last month, Trump ordered the maximum reduction of the US Institute of Peace, which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 to help the US prevent and resolve international conflicts.
The institute, which operates with a $55 million annual budget allocated by Congress, was complying with Musk’s newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
However, the DOGE team was not convinced of the institute’s cost-effectiveness.
Despite the institute’s ownership of a valuable building near the State Department, DOGE attempted to take control of the facility on Monday, resulting in a tense standoff.
The institute’s acting president, George Moose, issued a statement claiming that DOGE had “broken into our building” after the institute refused to allow entry.
In a further escalation, the Trump administration fired the institute’s bipartisan board members, keeping only three, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The newly appointed board, led by DOGE, swiftly voted to remove Moose, accusing him of denying access to the newly appointed president, Kenneth Jackson, who was escorted into the building by Washington police.
Jackson, a former State Department official, is known for his role in reducing US development assistance.
His appointment is in line with Trump and Musk’s strategy to dismantle various government agencies, despite legal and constitutional challenges.
Over the weekend, Trump also moved to eliminate US-funded international broadcasting, including Voice of America.
