U.S. Institute of Peace Headquarters Transferred to General Services Administration
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled in favor of transferring the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters building to the General Services Administration (GSA). This decision came amid ongoing tensions between former USIP staff and members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government initiative associated with Elon Musk.
Details of the Transfer
According to Judge Howell, the transfer was not merely proposed; it had been completed on Saturday prior to her ruling. “The deal is no longer merely ‘proposed’ but done,” she stated, declaring the plaintiffs’ request for relief as moot concerning that property. The headquarters, valued at approximately $500 million, has been at the center of a legal dispute following the Trump administration’s decision to dismiss USIP’s board members on March 14.
Conflict Escalates
The situation intensified when USIP employees denied DOGE staff access to their headquarters. As a result, the DOGE team returned with a key obtained from a former security contractor. The leadership of USIP has seen significant changes, with Kenneth Jackson initially appointed as president before being replaced by Nate Cavanaugh, a DOGE staff member, on March 25. Consequently, many USIP employees received termination notices, effectively closing the agency.
Legal Proceedings and Justifications
Former USIP staffers have initiated legal proceedings against Cavanaugh, DOGE, Donald Trump, and other officials, alleging irregularities in the transfer process. Court documents indicate that Cavanaugh moved forward with the property transfer to GSA at no cost to the government. In a letter addressed to GSA acting administrator Stephen Ehikian, Cavanaugh asserted that the transfer served “the best interest of USIP, the federal government, and the United States.”
Supporting this move, Russell Vought, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, approved a request for the transfer to proceed without any reimbursement to the government. A court filing revealed that the Trump administration prioritized acquiring the USIP headquarters for the GSA, but that budget constraints complicated the acquisition at fair market value.
Contention Over Ownership
The legal battle emphasizes the unique status of USIP, which operates as a Congressionally funded, independent agency. In court submissions, government attorneys have claimed that USIP is a “wholly owned government corporation,” thereby justifying the GSA’s authority to handle the property transfer. However, USIP lawyers counter this by referencing the 1984 United States Institute of Peace Act, which established the agency as an independent non-profit nationally recognized institute. They also emphasized that the headquarters was largely funded by private donations.
Next Steps in the Case
Previously, Judge Howell declined a request from USIP for a temporary restraining order aimed at reinstating its board. The court’s final ruling regarding the ongoing lawsuit is anticipated by the end of April.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Additional reporting by Matt Giles.