WASHINGTON — On Monday, U.S. Institute of Peace’s (USIP) Acting President and CEO George Moose released a statement saying “DOGE has broken into our building.” 

USIP was established through the USIP Act, making the agency an independent nonprofit corporation. It works closely with the defense department to prevent violence and broker peace deals abroad.

According to employees with USIP, several members with DOGE appeared at the building unannounced on Friday afternoon, accompanied by two FBI agents. They were met at the door by the institute’s outside counsel who informed them of USIP’s private and independent status as a non-executive branch agency. 

Following that discussion, they left. But the conversation clearly wasn’t over, following the weekend members with DOGE returned and forced entry into the building Monday evening. 

According to White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly, USIP was reduced to its statutory minimum via an Executive Order on Feb. 19. It is a public agency paid for by taxpayers. Under the Executive Order, President Trump had Moose removed as USIP’s president effective March 14. At which point, Kenneth Jackson was appointed Acting President. 

However, as of Monday USIP is still distributing Moose’s quotes and referring to him as president. 

The Trump administration and DOGE have been “slashing government spending” through mass layoffs and dismemberment of federal agencies since Donald Trump took office. The difference between USIP and the other federal agencies DOGE has dismantled is, it is not defined as an agency. It has the powers of a nonprofit operating within the District.

Those employed by USIP are not officers or employees of the federal government. The USIP President hires, fires, and sets employment terms for all USIP employees. They also have a budget independent from the federal government. 

They seek appropriations directly from Congress, which limits Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) comments when USIP makes its request to Congress. USIP cooperates with OMB in budgeting but often exercises its “bypass authority.”