'Gross usurpation of power': Judge rips Trump in ruling striking down agency takeover

In a strongly worded ruling against Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said that the move "represented a gross usurpation of power."

According to the Hill, the judge also issued an injunction barring officials from DOGE and other Trump administration representatives from accessing USIP's facilities or systems, effectively halting their involvement with the institute.

The order nullified the administration's decision to dismiss the USIP board members and its president, confirming that they continue to hold their official roles. The appointment of individuals by DOGE was also overturned, requiring their removal from the board.

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The judge said President Donald Trump and his subordinates used "acts of force" and threatened officers.

“The President’s efforts here to take over an organization outside of those bounds, contrary to statute established by Congress and by acts of force and threat using local and federal law enforcement officers, represented a gross usurpation of power and a way of conducting government affairs that unnecessarily traumatized the committed leadership and employees of USIP, who deserved better,” Howell said in the ruling.

"At most, USIP is an external partner to, rather than an arm of, the Executive branch. USIP thus does not wield the President’s Article II power and cannot be considered part of the Executive branch for removal purposes," the ruling noted.

"USIP’s existence outside of the Executive branch is the end of the inquiry," the judge wrote in the order.

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In March, the Trump administration initiated a controversial move to dismantle the congressionally established nonprofit organization. The administration removed the majority of USIP's board members and appointed Kenneth Jackson, a State Department official, as the new president.

Subsequently, personnel from DOGE attempted to seize control of USIP's headquarters.