The U.S. Institute of Peace regained control of its headquarters on Wednesday, following the judgment by a federal court that deemed the firing of its staff by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, unlawful. This development took place two days post the court’s decision.
George Moose, the acting president of the institute, accompanied by private security personnel and the institute’s attorney, reclaimed the organization’s headquarters. This marked Moose’s first entry into the premises since he, along with most of the institute’s board, were dismissed in a large-scale elimination of the federal workforce led by Musk in March.
The institute, along with many of its board members, had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in a bid to prevent their removal and halt DOGE’s takeover of its operations. Their efforts bore fruit when U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell’s ruling on Monday overturned DOGE’s actions.
Speaking after a brief inspection of the headquarters, Moose reported that all seemed to be well in order. “We just did a quick walk-through and externally, visibly, things look to be in pretty good shape,” he said. Moose also announced plans to bring back all members of staff who wished to return.
A White House spokeswoman, Anna Kelly, signaled that the Trump administration may challenge this decision, but refrained from commenting on the employees’ return to the building. This was followed by the administration filing an appeal against the judge’s ruling and requesting a stay while the appeal is under consideration.
Across the federal government, several agencies have been significantly cut or completely dismantled by Musk’s DOGE team. This instance, where an agency targeted by DOGE has managed to start reestablishing itself, is rather exceptional.
In February, Trump issued an executive order targeting the Institute of Peace and three other agencies for closure, in a bid to reduce the size of the government. DOGE was then installed as the institute’s new leadership, which led to the mass firing of nearly all of the staff.
Following the court’s ruling, the institute, concerned about liability and the security of the building, reached out to government attorneys. The exchange, as stated by George Foote, the institute’s attorney, was smooth and orderly. The focus now, according to Moose, is to return to the original mission of the institute, to promote peace and end conflicts, projects, and ideas which he believes are of interest to the American people.
A significant ruling in favor of the Institute of Peace against the Department of Government Efficiency. This raises important questions about the future and the potential implications for other agencies.
