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The U.S. Institute for Peace has filed a complaint against Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency this week, hoping to prevent President Trump from taking over the independent, nonprofit think tank.
USIP filed early Wednesday a formal complaint and an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint targets DOGE, Mr. Trump and acting USIP President Kenneth Jackson.
The complaint says the temporary restraining order is necessary to prevent DOGE from accessing the institute’s sensitive computer systems.
“The institute understands that DOGE has convinced a Georgia-based cybersecurity expert to drive to the Institute’s headquarters to help DOGE break through the security features protecting USIP’s computer systems,” the complaint reads. “If allowed to succeed, Defendants will irreparably injure the Institute.”
The complaint also says that DOGE employees may be physically damaging USIP offices. USIP lawyers included a photo of an overflowing trash can filled with USIP financial documents marked “shred.”
The complaint echoes statements made by USIP leaders who say that Mr. Trump’s Feb. 19 executive order targeting the institute is unlawful.
“Plaintiffs seek the immediate intervention of this Court to stop Defendants from completing the unlawful dismantling of the Institute and irreparably impairing Plaintiffs’ ability to perform their vital peace promotion and conflict resolution work as tasked by Congress,” the complaint adds.
The filing follows the contentious takeover of the USIP office building near the National Mall on Monday. DOGE workers, along with Mr. Jackson, gained access to the offices and evicted USIP staff and former president George Moose.
The takeover has incensed congressional Democrats, who say DOGE’s actions are unlawful and harmful.
“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,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrats on Congress’ foreign relations panel, said Wednesday in a joint statement.
The White House reaffirmed its intention to reduce the headcount at independent agencies like USIP following the takeover, hoping reductions will improve efficiency.
“President Trump signed an executive order to reduce USIP to its statutory minimum. After noncompliance, 11 board members were lawfully removed, and remaining board members appointed Kenneth Jackson acting president,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. “Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage. The Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people.”
DOGE’s takeover was carrying out Mr. Trump’s executive order from last month, which targeted USIP and other smaller institutions. Before Monday’s takeover, DOGE workers and FBI agents tried to gain entrance into USIP’s offices Friday but were turned away by the institute’s lawyers.
The White House has reduced the headcount of USIP’s board to three members, leaving only Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Peter A. Garvin, president of the National Defense University. The board voted to remove Mr. Moose this month and install Mr. Jackson in his stead.
