The recent developments at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) have drawn significant attention as staff from the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) intervened to remove former Acting President George Moose. This action was taken with the assistance of the DC Metropolitan Police following Moose’s refusal to vacate the premises despite an official resolution appointing Kenneth Jackson as the new acting president, effective March 14, 2025. The resolution, backed by National Defense University President Peter Garvin, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized the transition in leadership.
Upon Moose’s resistance, the DOGE asserted the legality of their actions, stating that Moose denied lawful access to Jackson. The police facilitated Jackson’s entry into the building, ensuring the removal of unauthorized personnel. Despite this, the USIP website still lists Moose as the acting president. The circumstances were addressed by White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, who clarified Moose’s removal on the social media platform X.
In response to his removal, Moose and some recently terminated colleagues are legally contesting the resolution. They argue the USIP’s non-executive branch status affords them private and independent jurisdiction, raising questions about the resolution’s validity. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions concerning the governance structure and independence of federally affiliated institutions such as the USIP.
The DC Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement, confirming that the US Attorney’s Office advised the removal, ensuring compliance with the current legitimized leadership of Jackson. While the parties involved complied without incident, the legal wrangling this action has spurred could yield further developments in the governance and autonomy debate of organizations similar to the USIP.
For further details, the full report can be accessed through JURIST.