A federal judge on Wednesday declined to grant a restraining order blocking the Trump administration's efforts to seize control of the U.S. Institute of Peace, even as she sharply criticized the White House's tactics and questioned the legality of recent firings at the agency. The decision leaves the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) temporarily in charge of the congressionally funded nonprofit while the case proceeds.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the five recently dismissed board members of the Institute of Peace - including Ambassador John Sullivan, Judy Ansley, Joseph Falk, Kerry Kennedy, and Mary Swig - failed to meet the burden required for a temporary restraining order. However, Howell stated that "none of the requirements for removal of a board member were met" and acknowledged that the dismissals did not comply with federal law.
The legal battle stems from actions taken last week when several board members received abrupt termination emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office. Soon after, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice Admiral Peter Garvin removed Institute President George Moose and installed Kenneth Jackson as acting president.
During Wednesday's hearing, Howell repeatedly criticized the Trump administration's handling of the takeover, particularly the presence of DOGE staff and law enforcement at the agency's Washington headquarters. "I am very offended by how DOGE has operated at the institute and treated American citizens trying to do a job that they were tasked to do," Howell said.
The dispute gained public attention after DOGE personnel, accompanied by two FBI agents, attempted to access the Institute's headquarters on Friday without prior notice. According to the Institute, their representatives were met by outside counsel George Foote, who informed them of the organization's independent status. The DOGE officials initially left the premises but reportedly returned Monday and gained entry, expelling Moose, staff members, and legal counsel.
Court filings allege that DOGE used employees from the Institute's former security contractor, Inter-Con Security Systems, to access the building forcibly. Foote reportedly called the D.C. Metropolitan Police to report the intrusion and labeled it trespassing.
The ousted board members filed their lawsuit Tuesday, describing the Trump administration's actions as an "unlawful assault" on the Institute of Peace, which was established by Congress in 1984 as an independent, nonpartisan entity dedicated to conflict resolution and diplomacy. They sought to block DOGE officials from accessing Institute facilities, computer systems, and records, as well as to void their termination.
During the hearing, Howell questioned whether the Trump administration could have lawfully pursued changes to the Institute's governance through congressional action or by using traditional appointment powers. What are the lawful ways to act against Institute of Peace "without using the force of guns and threats by DOGE," Howell asked.
While Howell ultimately denied immediate relief, she underscored her disapproval of the administration's approach. "The defendants have not wasted any time bringing in armed law enforcement to help them," she remarked.
