Dramatic Leadership Change at U.S. Institute of Peace: What’s Happening?

Hand holding white flag against a blue sky.

A dramatic leadership standoff at the U.S. Institute of Peace ended with police intervention as ousted president George Moose barricaded the building against his Trump-appointed replacement.

Key Takeaways

  • The Trump administration fired 11 of 15 USIP board members and appointed Kenneth Jackson as the new president, replacing George Moose
  • Moose refused to vacate his position, locked down the building, and prevented Jackson from entering, requiring police intervention to resolve the standoff
  • USIP staff prepared to resist the leadership change, including system shutdowns and distributing photos of incoming leadership
  • The dispute centers on USIP’s status—the administration says it has authority over the organization, while Moose argues it’s an independent nonprofit despite receiving congressional funding
  • The conflict is part of broader Trump administration efforts to reshape or eliminate certain federally-funded organizations deemed unnecessary

Institute Lockdown and Police Intervention

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters became the scene of an unprecedented standoff when President George Moose, after being relieved of his duties by the board of directors, refused to vacate his position. Kenneth Jackson, appointed as Moose’s replacement, arrived to assume his new role but found himself locked out of the building. The situation escalated to the point where Metropolitan Police Department officers had to intervene, escorting Moose from the premises while allowing Jackson and his team to finally enter the facility.

Internal communications revealed that USIP staff had been preparing for this confrontation. Security measures included locking doors, distributing photos of incoming leadership, and implementing system shutdowns. Colin O’Brien, USIP’s chief security officer, confirmed the lockdown was ordered by Moose. Upon gaining entry, Jackson reportedly found the building in disarray with non-functioning systems and employees using walkie-talkies to communicate, suggesting organized resistance to the transition.

Constitutional Status Dispute

At the heart of this conflict lies a fundamental disagreement about USIP’s status. Created by Congress in 1984 to study peaceful conflict resolutions, USIP has been influential in international affairs. While it receives congressional funding, Moose and his supporters maintain that it operates as an independent nonprofit corporation, not subject to executive branch control. This position forms the basis of their resistance to what they characterize as an “illegal takeover” by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration, however, asserts its authority over USIP. A White House official stated firmly that “Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage.” The administration cites “noncompliance” with an executive order as justification for the board changes. This action was not isolated—similar measures have been taken against other organizations including the U.S. African Development Foundation, the Inter-American Foundation, and the Presidio Trust, suggesting a coordinated effort to reshape these institutions.

Broader Context of Administrative Reform

The USIP controversy represents a larger initiative by the Trump administration to eliminate or restructure organizations deemed unnecessary. President Trump reportedly ordered USIP to be effectively shuttered, characterizing it as an unnecessary expenditure. The Heritage Foundation has criticized USIP for opacity and favoring Democratic appointments, providing ideological backing for the administration’s actions. The remaining board members who fired Moose included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Defense University President Peter Garvin.

USIP plans to file a lawsuit challenging the administration’s appointment procedures, arguing that presidential appointments require consent from either the board or Senate subcommittees. Legal actions have been taken by other affected organizations with mixed outcomes in court. The administration remains resolute, with spokesperson Anna Kelly stating, “The Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people.”

Moving Forward Under New Leadership

With Kenneth Jackson now installed as president, USIP faces an uncertain future. Supporters of the institute argue that its mission of conflict resolution aligns with stated administration goals of preventing foreign entanglements. Moose himself noted this apparent contradiction: “I can’t imagine how our work could align more perfectly with the goals that he has outlined: keeping us out of foreign wars, resolving conflicts before they drag us into those kinds of conflicts.”

The situation highlights tensions between presidential authority and the independence of congressionally-established organizations. As legal challenges proceed, the outcome will likely establish precedent for similar disputes across government. For an organization supposedly dedicated to peaceful conflict resolution, the irony of requiring police intervention to resolve its own leadership crisis has not been lost on observers, raising questions about USIP’s operational effectiveness going forward.

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