U.S. News
Taxpayer-Funded Think Tank’s Secret Rebellion Against DOGE—What Went Wrong?
Clear Facts
- The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) attempted to resist a Trump administration takeover, resulting in a chaotic standoff.
- USIP leadership engaged in internal sabotage, including removing locks and disabling communication systems, to prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from taking control.
- Despite their efforts, the Trump-appointed leadership, led by Kenneth Jackson, eventually took control, and former USIP leaders have since filed a lawsuit against the administration.
In a dramatic and chaotic sequence of events, the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) found itself embroiled in a standoff against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as it attempted to resist a Trump administration takeover. This clash unfolded after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on February 19, mandating the downsizing of several federally funded organizations, including the USIP.
The Trump administration determined that the institute’s leadership, under George Moose, was not complying with the directive, leading to Moose’s replacement by senior USAID official Kenneth Jackson.
The situation escalated when USIP leadership engaged in extensive internal sabotage before DOGE personnel arrived to implement the mandated leadership changes. According to a Trump administration official involved in the transition, USIP staff removed locks from exterior doors, effectively destroying entry mechanisms.
Photographic evidence confirmed these actions, contradicting earlier reports that suggested passive resistance.
USIP staff also contacted Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in an attempt to prevent DOGE personnel from entering, citing barricaded doors and security concerns. MPD officers later confirmed these obstructions, further discrediting claims of passive resistance.
The resistance efforts included disabling telephone lines, internet connections, and other IT infrastructure, forcing staff to communicate via walkie-talkies. Flyers distributed internally revealed a premeditated strategy to resist DOGE officials, with instructions to “greet the guest(s) but do not engage in conversation.”
This calculated rebellion was further evidenced by an internal memo titled “External Agency Visitor Procedure,” outlining contingency plans for resisting the Trump administration’s leadership transition. The document asserted USIP’s control over its facilities and security protocols, suggesting that leadership believed they had the authority to disable security systems and destroy locks.
The standoff reached its peak when Jackson and DOGE staffers, accompanied by FBI agents, arrived at USIP headquarters to enforce Trump’s leadership changes. A USIP lawyer challenged the order’s legality, prompting the Trump officials to withdraw temporarily. Over the weekend, Moose and other USIP leaders intensified their resistance efforts, including firing the institute’s security contractors, Inter-Con, and removing electronic access systems.
By Monday afternoon, DOGE personnel returned to USIP headquarters, only to be denied entry again. However, MPD officers, responding to a complaint from the U.S. Attorney for D.C., eventually escorted Moose and other holdout staff off the premises.
Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, stated, “Eleven board members were lawfully removed, and remaining board members appointed Kenneth Jackson acting president. Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage.”
Despite the decisive outcome, former USIP leadership regrouped to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to overturn the takeover and reinstate its ousted leadership. The complaint alleged that DOGE officials “plundered” USIP offices, while the Trump administration official countered that USIP leadership deliberately damaged their own facilities.
This clash serves as a dramatic example of bureaucratic defiance against presidential mandates, with meticulous planning and internal coordination ultimately proving futile. By Monday evening, Jackson and other Trump-appointed leadership had assumed control over the Institute of Peace, rendering the resistance efforts ineffective.
Neither USIP’s press office nor the Institute of Politics at Harvard University, where Moose is an adjunct professor, responded to requests for comment.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Cathy Kolbe
March 20, 2025 at 5:39 am
The very leaders who caused the damage to prevent DOGE from entering should be held legally and financially accountable! I sick and tired of economic parasites living off my hard earned dollars! They need to be held accountable for the damages!
John Antunovich
March 21, 2025 at 10:50 am
Institute for peace? What a joke!
Kristi Harris
March 23, 2025 at 10:34 am
Thats what I was thinking too! Not a very peaceful attempt to maintain the status quo. And destroying government property doesnt represent any thing peaceful. I understand that the agencies and leadership are fearful of what is happening under President Trumps directives, if they are performing as they should there should be no reason to fear anything!
Alphonso Moran
March 23, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Between six thousand and eight thousand dollars, roughly.To be clear, I work from home 10 to 13 hours a week, which is sufficient to fulfill my primary job duties. I was surprised by how simple it was.,. >>>
Go ON My Profile
Lawn_Ranger
March 20, 2025 at 5:50 am
I agree. These “rebels” need to be incarcerated for their destruction and receive heavy fines for the costs of repairing the facility.
George Geiger
March 20, 2025 at 5:51 am
They should be arrested,anybody else wood.
Doug
March 20, 2025 at 5:57 am
These America-hating barack obama-sleeper puppets need a four year stint in federal prison for destroying govt. property, after four years with no pay and no pension, they will beg to follow the law !!!
mountainman
March 20, 2025 at 7:06 am
The fact that they tried to destroy government property to prevent some oversight of their activities could only mean they must be hiding something they don’t want the public to know. Also to follow the democrats “no one is above the law” they should be prosecuted for the damage done and pay for the repairs.
Beverly Soltwedel
March 20, 2025 at 7:26 am
stupidity on the part of this “think Tank” to find problems with DOGE is what went wrong-instead on all the negativity and stupidity against trying to save the u taxpayers money–which I believe would save the USA these nit wits spend all their time on finding fault with saving money. What a bunch of crazies!! Don’t waste precious time on earth finding wrong in people find the good they are trying to do. You idiots are burning places, wanting illegals to illegally stay in the USA USING taxpayer money to provide for illegals–well it makes no common sense at all. If you cannot find good-stay home and keep your thoughts and mouths shut.
Joe Black, Sr
March 20, 2025 at 7:52 am
This is a great example of the very problem DOGE is there, government is a self-feeding, self-existing entity and does not think it exists for or by the people. Even if the President is wrong, which he isn’t, they should cooperate with his authority. In the corporate world what would happen if a department of a company refused the CEO’s demands? I think we all know! This is clear evidence DOGE is on the right track. Please continue! Rid us of this cancer!
Norwin Hall
March 20, 2025 at 10:00 am
Please people find an honest way to make a living. This type of resistance indicates they were hiding irregular if not illegal use of tax payer funds. Now they are back to using liberal judges to protect their illegal practices. Shame on you all!
DWC
March 20, 2025 at 11:46 am
Exactly, what was it that they needed toj hide?
Earnest T Bass
March 20, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Shut the hospitals down that DEFY the EO!
Open them back up when they remove all the FREAKS and WEIRDOS.
SO DEMONIC
WOKE JOKES
March 22, 2025 at 6:29 pm
SO!! Who are the threats to Democracy now, asshats!!
The only thing that will stop the Tesla burnings, Hamas protests, “resist” and Marxist violence is throwing the KAPO Soros cabal out of the country and civil war.