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(Washington) The Trump administration renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after President Donald Trump and put his name on the organization’s headquarters, despite an ongoing conflict over control of the institute.
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It’s the latest twist in a bitter legal battle for control of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonprofit think tank focused on peace initiatives. The institute was one of the Department of Government Effectiveness’ first targets this year.
On Wednesday, the State Department announced that the organization had been renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace to “honor the greatest negotiator in our nation’s history.” The new name is visible on the building, located near the State Department.
Donald Trump spent months openly campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize, although he was unsuccessful this year, arguing that he had helped ease many conflicts around the world. However, Donald Trump has also ordered strikes against ships suspected of transporting drugs off the coast of Venezuela and has repeatedly threatened land attacks, which would constitute an act of war against that country.
The takeover of the Peace Institute was anything but peaceful, with its administration seizing the independent entity and removing its board of directors before even putting its name on the building.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said: “The U.S. Institute of Peace was once a bloated and useless entity that wasted $50 million a year without bringing peace. Now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, an eloquent and fitting name for a president who ended eight wars in less than a year, will powerfully symbolize what strong leadership can accomplish for global stability. »
She added: “Well done, world! »
George Foote, an attorney for the Institute’s former management and staff, said the name change “adds insult to injury.”
“A federal judge has already ruled that the government’s armed takeover was illegal. This judgment is suspended while the government appeals, which explains why it continues to control the building,” explained Mr. Foote. Since March, USIP headquarters has changed hands several times following legal proceedings related to the DOGE takeover. A final decision regarding his fate is awaited before the Federal Court of Appeal.
The USIP has always claimed to be an independent creation of Congress, thus escaping the executive power of the president. The administration, for its part, maintains that it is an agency reporting to the executive.
After Donald Trump fired the institute’s board of directors in the spring, staff were also laid off and the building was turned over to the General Services Administration (GSA).
A federal district court overturned that decision in May, returning the seat to USIP leadership. However, this decision was overturned a few weeks later by a federal appeals court.
To date, employees have been laid off twice and the building is under the care of the GSA.
The Associated Press’ Aamer Madhani and Will Weissert contributed to this report
