Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Gregory W. Meeks have expressed their concerns regarding recent reports about the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). According to the reports, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk under President Trump’s administration, has taken over USIP.
Shaheen and Meeks stated: “Under the direction of President Trump, Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ has apparently engaged in a hostile takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit corporation established in law by Congress. This comes after the President fired the bulk of the USIP board last week so the remaining members could install a new acting president. This week’s events further signal that the Trump Administration and Elon Musk have no desire to actually make America safer, stronger or more prosperous. Their goal is to recklessly dismantle historic U.S. institutions piece by piece.”
They highlighted USIP’s history as an independent organization that has helped prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad since its establishment under President Reagan’s administration. “USIP has worked successfully as an independent organization under seven administrations, helping prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad,” they added.
The lawmakers called on their Republican colleagues to oppose what they described as an assault on USIP: “We urge our Republican colleagues to stand up for their values and join us in condemning Elon Musk’s assault on USIP. If Musk’s dismantling of Congressionally authorized and funded agencies was not already enough, one would hope that his takeover of an independent non-profit organization is a clear line that we cannot allow to be crossed.”
