Trump Removes US Institute Of Peace President In Cost-Saving Move

Trump Administration Ousts US Institute of Peace President Amid Cost-Cutting Plans

In a dramatic shift under President Donald Trump’s administration, officials backed by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) moved to take control of the US Institute of Peace (USIP) on Monday, dismissing its leader as part of ongoing government budget cuts.

The USIP, a taxpayer-funded organization focused on preventing and resolving international conflicts, faced immediate restructuring following Trump’s directive to reduce its operations to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Institute’s Defense Against Closure

Despite the Trump administration’s cost-cutting stance, USIP officials defended the institution’s financial sustainability. They highlighted that:

The institute owns its headquarters, a modern building adjacent to the State Department with a view of the National Mall.
Its $55 million annual budget comes directly from Congress.

However, these arguments failed to convince DOGE, which proceeded with its takeover plans on Monday.

Forcible Entry and Leadership Dismissal

In a tense standoff, the institute initially denied DOGE officials entry into the building. Following this, acting USIP president George Moose released a statement claiming:

“DOGE has broken into our building.”

Soon after, the Trump administration fired nearly all members of the institute’s bipartisan board, except for three key officials:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
A newly appointed official aligned with DOGE policies

On Friday, DOGE released a statement on USIP stationery, announcing that the board had voted to remove Moose from his position. The new president, Kenneth Jackson, a former State Department official, was swiftly escorted into the building with the help of Washington police.

A Wider Effort to Reshape Government Agencies

Moose, now removed from office, expressed his disappointment over the forced transition, stating:

“This misunderstanding of our mission has now escalated to a point where people are actively trying to shut us down.”

Kenneth Jackson, the new USIP president, has a background in downsizing government agencies, having previously played a role in restructuring the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

As part of broader changes, Marco Rubio led an 80% cut in US foreign development assistance, aligning with Trump’s view that international aid was a misuse of taxpayer funds.

Beyond the USIP, Trump and Musk have spearheaded efforts to dismantle several government institutions, facing multiple legal challenges from Congress. In a recent move, Trump also proposed shutting down US-funded international media outlets, including Voice of America (VOA).

Conclusion: A Battle Over Government Restructuring

As the Trump administration pushes forward with aggressive cost-cutting measures, the future of the US Institute of Peace remains uncertain. Critics argue that eliminating conflict resolution efforts could have long-term diplomatic consequences, while supporters see it as an essential step in reducing government spending.

US Institute of Peace Official Website