Recent Developments

In recent weeks, Elon Musk’s criticism has shifted towards "government-funded nongovernmental organizations." Now, it appears that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is taking action, with a notable incident occurring at the United States Institute of Peace. On Monday, DOGE employees, accompanied by FBI agents and Washington, D.C. police officers, forced their way into the independent nonprofit and escorted out employees, according to a report by the New York Times.

Background on the Incident

DOGE had been attempting to gain access to the USIP building since last week but was initially turned away by a USIP lawyer, who informed them that the organization is an independent agency not under the jurisdiction of the executive branch. However, DOGE returned on Monday and made multiple attempts to breach the USIP premises before finally gaining entry, as reported by an official from the organization who spoke to NBC Washington.

Law Enforcement Involvement

The New York Times provided insight into the events that led to DOGE’s eventual entry, highlighting the alignment of law enforcement. According to the publication, USIP employees called the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to report DOGE employees for trespassing. When the police arrived, they escorted USIP employees from the building and allowed DOGE to enter.

Origins of the Standoff

The standoff began weeks prior to the incident, when Donald Trump signed an executive order on February 19, aimed at "reducing the scope of federal bureaucracy." The order named the U.S. Institute for Peace as one of the entities targeted for elimination.

Recent Actions by the White House

Last week, the White House sent an email to the majority of the USIP’s independent board members, informing them that they were being fired, as reported by the New York Times. The remaining three board members – Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and President of the National Defense University Peter Garvin – voted to remove CEO George Moose from the agency and replace him with Kenneth Jackson. Moose contests the legality of his firing and argues that DOGE has no jurisdiction over USIP, stating to NBC Washington, "What has happened here today is an illegal takeover by elements of the executive branch of a private nonprofit."

History and Purpose of USIP

The USIP has been operational since 1984, established by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, with the task of researching and promoting diplomatic solutions to conflicts. The organization is funded by Congress to maintain its independence and avoid influence from external donors. While USIP may not be perfect, it is not the type of organization one would target if the goal is to reduce waste and inefficiency. Instead, it seems to be a target due to its potential to house dissenting opinions to the current administration.

Funding and Consequences

USIP had requested $55 million in funding for its operations in the upcoming fiscal year. The cost of deploying law enforcement for the takeover, the ensuing legal battles from the abrupt firing of USIP’s CEO and staff, and the additional spending on military conflicts resulting from this action will likely be substantial. It remains to be seen whether this will be less than $55 million, prompting a reevaluation of the definition of efficiency.