Trump team raids US Institute of Peace, removes president from office

Photo: AFP

On Monday, a team sent by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk took control of the US Institute of Peace. The move resulted in the removal of the institute’s leader, marking another step in their effort to reduce the size of government agencies.

The institute, which was created in 1984 by former President Ronald Reagan, focuses on preventing and resolving international conflicts. However, Trump recently ordered that it be shut down “as much as legally possible.” His administration argues that the institute is unnecessary and costs too much taxpayer money.

A Dramatic Standoff

Before the takeover, the institute tried to defend itself, showing evidence that it was financially responsible. It pointed out that it owns its building near the State Department and operates on a $55 million budget approved by Congress. However, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was not convinced.

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On Monday, officials from DOGE tried to enter the building, but the institute initially refused them access. Soon after, George Moose, the institute’s acting president, made a statement: "DOGE has broken into our building."

Leadership Overhaul

Following the takeover, the Trump administration dismissed nearly all members of the institute’s bipartisan board. Only three remained, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

A new board, appointed by DOGE, quickly voted to remove Moose from his position. The announcement was made on official institute stationery and shared on X (formerly Twitter) by DOGE. The new board accused Moose of blocking access to the newly appointed president, Kenneth Jackson.

Jackson, a former State Department official, is known for cutting budgets and restructuring government programs. He previously played a key role in reducing the influence of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Under Rubio’s leadership, USAID’s budget was cut by over 80%, with Trump often dismissing foreign aid as unnecessary spending.

A Wider Effort to Shrink the Government

Since returning to the White House, Trump and Musk have taken aggressive steps to shut down or significantly weaken several government agencies. However, they have faced legal challenges because Congress is responsible for allocating government funds.

Despite this, Trump remains determined. Over the weekend, he took further action by cutting decades-old US-funded international broadcasting programs, including Voice of America, which has provided news to audiences worldwide.

Moose, speaking to reporters after his removal, expressed his disappointment: "It's not a happy day. We’ve been misunderstood, and now they are shutting us down."

With Trump pushing forward with his plans, it remains to be seen how much of Washington’s long-standing institutions will survive under his leadership.