Overview

• U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled the Trump administration's takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as unlawful and nullified all related actions.
• The ruling reinstates USIP's board and president, voids the transfer of its headquarters and assets to the General Services Administration, and bars DOGE from further intrusions.
• DOGE, led by Elon Musk, used law enforcement to forcibly seize USIP's headquarters in March, despite the institute's independent, congressionally mandated status.
• The court emphasized that Congress's restrictions on presidential removal power over USIP leadership are constitutional, reaffirming the separation of powers.
• The Trump administration has 30 days to appeal the decision, which marks a significant judicial check on its efforts to restructure federal and independent agencies.