POLITICS: The Agency No One Has Heard of – How They Affected You

Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency just obliterated an ineffective taxpayer-funded “peace” institute that hasn’t delivered a shred of actual peace in decades.

At a Glance

• The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) has terminated nearly all staff as Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) took control
• DOGE, led by Elon Musk, cited the institute’s failure to “deliver peace” while wasting taxpayer dollars
• DOGE representatives gained access to USIP headquarters with police assistance after initially being denied entry
• A federal judge criticized DOGE’s methods but denied requests to block the takeover, allowing the administration’s efficiency measures to proceed

DOGE Takes Swift Action Against Inefficient Agency

President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has wasted no time implementing its mission to eliminate government waste, with the U.S. Institute of Peace becoming the latest target. DOGE representatives, with assistance from Washington police, entered USIP headquarters and issued termination notices to nearly all U.S.-based employees as part of a broader effort to streamline government operations and reduce unnecessary spending of taxpayer dollars.

USIP employees received termination notices via their personal email accounts after many had already lost access to the organization’s computer systems. The White House defended the action through spokesperson Anna Kelly, who stated the administration “is carrying out his mandate to eliminate bloat and save taxpayer dollars.” Kelly further noted that the institute “has failed to deliver peace” despite decades of operation and significant funding from American taxpayers.

Legal Challenges Fail to Halt Efficiency Measures

Following the takeover, USIP’s outside counsel filed legal challenges seeking to block the administration’s actions. However, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell denied requests for a temporary restraining order, despite expressing concerns about DOGE’s operational methods. The ruling represents a significant victory for President Trump’s efficiency agenda, allowing the administration to continue its work eliminating wasteful government spending without judicial interference.

“I am very offended by how DOGE has operated at the institute and treated American citizens trying to do a job that they were statutorily tasked to do, But that concern about how this has gone down is not one that can sway me in the factors of a TRO,” said Judge Beryl Howell.

The government successfully argued that former board members lacked standing to sue since they had been properly removed from their positions and replaced with new appointees including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Terminated employees who wish to receive additional benefits, including one month of healthcare coverage, must agree not to take legal action against USIP, reflecting the administration’s determination to avoid prolonged legal battles over efficiency measures.

Executive Order Targets Multiple Inefficient Agencies

The action against USIP is part of a broader executive order from President Trump targeting several agencies for closure or significant restructuring to reduce government waste. Founded by Congress in 1984, USIP had operated with minimal oversight or accountability for decades while consuming significant taxpayer resources. The institute’s defenders claim it played a unique role in conflict resolution, but critics point to global conflicts that have persisted or worsened during its existence.

The controversy centers on whether USIP falls under executive branch authority, with the administration maintaining that the president has clear authority to appoint and remove board members. This position was effectively validated by Judge Howell’s decision not to intervene, allowing the administration to continue its government-wide efficiency initiatives aimed at reducing bureaucratic bloat and protecting American taxpayers from wasteful spending.