U.S. Institute of Peace leaders regain control of HQ after judge declares DOGE takeover "null and void"

Source: CBS News

Updated on: May 21, 2025 / 8:41 PM EDT


The leaders of the United States Institute for Peace regained control of their offices Wednesday, weeks after they were ejected from their positions by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency in March.

The dramatic turn of events happened in the wake of U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell's ruling on Monday that the takeover of USIP was "unlawful" and conducted by "illegitimately-installed leaders." Howell further ruled that the action was "null and void." The judge ruled after USIP's leaders sued the government.

The Justice Department indicated Wednesday it plans to appeal Howell's ruling, and asked the judge to pause her order while an appellate court considers the case. At an impromptu press briefing on the steps of the USIP building Wednesday, acting President George Moose addressed reporters.

"We are now back in the building and we intend to resume our stewardship and custodianship," Moose said. "It is not just the platform from which we've been doing our work. It is a symbol of the aspirations and the intent of the American people to be seen and to be peacemaker in the world."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-institute-of-peace-regains-hq-doge-trump-takeover-null-and-void/