U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell on Thursday refused to grant a temporary restraining order against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, allowing it to retain control over the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). This decision comes amid rising tensions following DOGE’s forceful entry into USIP’s headquarters. Established by Congress in 1984, USIP is an independent, nonpartisan institution dedicated to preventing and resolving international conflicts. Funded through congressional appropriations, its mission is to promote global peace and stability.
In February, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to streamline government operations, directing the reduction of entities like USIP. Following that, DOGE—led by Musk—was assigned to implement these efficiency measures across various federal agencies. The situation escalated on Monday when DOGE personnel, accompanied by armed law enforcement officers, entered USIP’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. They removed the institute’s president, George Moose, along with several staff members, asserting the authority granted by the executive order.
USIP officials described this action as a “literal trespass and takeover by force,” alleging that DOGE staff accessed sensitive computer systems and disrupted the institute’s operations, per Reuters. Following the incident, five removed USIP board members, along with the organization itself, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Trump administration. The suit seeks an emergency order to halt the DOJ’s actions and reinstate the ousted officials, alleging an illegal attempt to dismantle the institute.
The complaint focused on an executive order signed by Trump on February 19, which aimed to reduce federal bureaucracy by deeming USIP “unnecessary” and curtailing its operations. The lawsuit argued that these actions violate federal law, asserting that USIP is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1984 and that the removal of its board members was illegal.
Plaintiffs further alleged that officials from the newly established “U.S. DOJ Service” physically occupied USIP’s offices and attempted to seize control of its infrastructure. The lawsuit contends that the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the institute went beyond executive authority and violated the principle of separation of powers.
During the hearing, Howell condemned DOGE’s tactics, calling the use of armed law enforcement “abominable.” She added, “I have to say I am offended on behalf of the American citizens,” and criticized the treatment of USIP staff also as “abominable.” Despite her criticisms, Judge Howell rejected the request for a temporary restraining order, citing procedural issues in the lawsuit and doubting the plaintiffs’ chances of prevailing on the merits. She described the complaint as “messy” and pointed out that the absence of the ousted president as a plaintiff complicated the case’s legal standing.
“Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage,” said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. “The Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people.” The court has set additional hearings to scrutinize the key issues, including the legality of the board members’ removal and the limits of the executive branch’s authority over independent institutions such as USIP.