Understanding the U.S. Institute of Peace and Trump's Efforts to Close It
A view of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters in Washington, D.C., was captured on March 18. On that day, Trump administration officials, with law enforcement assistance, entered the building following President Trump's directive to dismantle the congressionally funded independent nonprofit.
The Trump administration's attempt to dismantle this think tank led to a confrontation between law enforcement and the think tank's board members. Established by Congress in 1984, shortly after a nuclear standoff with the Soviet Union, the USIP was designed to explore peaceful solutions to global conflicts.
Over the years, USIP has become a key player in international affairs, gathering global experts on conflict resolution and serving as a platform for the U.S. to extend its influence worldwide. However, the White House recently ordered its closure.
USIP is part of a network of organizations created during the Cold War to promote American values globally. It was intended to support research and advise on policies that prevent violent conflict, while also enhancing American influence through initiatives like training peacekeepers and researching communication strategies with geopolitical rivals like China.
George Moose, a former diplomat and acting president of USIP, opposes the Trump administration's efforts to replace the nonprofit's leadership. He describes the organization as a symbol of America's commitment to peacebuilding.
This network also includes the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which annually allocates nearly $300 million for pro-democracy efforts in over 100 countries, and the Wilson Center, a nonpartisan think tank focused on foreign policy, especially concerning Russia and Central Asia. The U.S. expanded its humanitarian aid through agencies like USAID, established in the 1960s partly to counter Communism, and the State Department.
Recently, the Trump administration has effectively shut down USAID, frozen NED funding, canceled some State Department grants, and ordered the Wilson Center to significantly reduce its operations.
A "No Trespassing" sign was posted on the USIP headquarters' doorway on March 18, 2025, after Trump administration officials removed the think tank's staff.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank influential in the federal government's restructuring, criticized USIP last year for its lack of transparency and perceived bias towards Democratic-leaning appointments.
In February, President Trump ordered USIP's closure, citing the need to reduce what he considered "unnecessary" federal elements. Since then, he has dismissed 11 of USIP's 15 board members, citing their noncompliance with his executive order.
USIP staff argue that the executive branch lacks the authority to shut them down or freeze their funding, as they are not a federal agency and receive direct funding from Congress.
"We have been in discussions for weeks, anticipating this situation, and reminding them that we are a private, nonprofit corporation in D.C., not a federal agency, so the federal government has no right to take over our building," Moose stated to reporters.
Despite being fired, Moose refused to leave his office, and USIP staff plan to challenge the Trump administration's appointment of a new USIP president in court, arguing that the process bypassed the think tank's leadership selection procedures.
"We do not recognize the illegitimate president," stated George Foote, USIP's lawyer.
According to USIP's rules, the U.S. president can appoint and remove board members, but this must be done with the board's majority consent or approval from several Senate subcommittees.