Congress Must Restore the Independence of the US Institute of Peace

CONGRESS MUST REJECT AND REVERSE THE UNLAWFUL TAKEOVER OF USIP As a constituent, I urge you to speak out publicly and immediately against the unlawful takeover of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and to defend Congress’s authority over an institution it created as an independent nonprofit corporation. USIP plays a vital role in advancing U.S. national interests by promoting conflict prevention and resolution. Congress continues to appropriate funding for USIP, reinforcing its intended independent role. A federal court has already ruled on the merits that the removal of USIP’s Board of Directors and leadership and the seizure of its operations were unlawful and inconsistent with the governing statute, and that ruling remains the only decision on the merits to date. Congress has an independent responsibility to act now to prevent further damage and to reaffirm the rule of law, regardless of ongoing appellate proceedings. CONGRESS CREATED USIP AS AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY AND MUST DEFEND THAT STRUCTURE Congress deliberately designed USIP to operate outside direct executive control to pursue conflict prevention, diplomacy, and research with independence. USIP is not an executive branch agency and is not subject to direct presidential control. That independence is essential to USIP’s effectiveness and its ability to serve U.S. national interests. The statute governing USIP places clear limits on removal of its leadership and establishes governance protections to prevent exactly this type of political interference. If Congress does not defend an institution it created, it weakens its authority over every similar entity established by statute. Allowing the executive branch to override those protections effectively nullifies Congress’s intent, weakens the legal framework for such institutions, and risks misuse of taxpayer-funded resources appropriated for independent purposes. EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICIALS REPLACED USIP’S GOVERNANCE AND STAFF Nearly one year after executive branch officials, acting through DOGE, moved to replace USIP’s governing structure, remove its leadership, dismiss staff, and take control of its headquarters, the effects of that unlawful takeover continue to unfold. Reporting shows officials entered the building and installed new leadership to bring USIP under presidential control. Staff have been removed and programs interrupted. Despite the district court’s ruling, the situation remains unresolved and continues to cause harm. THE TAKEOVER VIOLATES THE LAW AND CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO STAND Released body-camera footage and reporting indicate that officials understood they were entering a privately controlled facility and nevertheless proceeded with law-enforcement assistance, raising serious concerns about the use of federal authority to enforce disputed executive actions. The use of government power to enter and assert control over a congressionally created institution under disputed authority raises serious concerns about misuse of executive authority and the circumvention of statutory limits enacted by Congress. If left unaddressed, this precedent risks similar actions against other independent institutions created by Congress. CONGRESS MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY OR RISK NORMALIZING EXECUTIVE OVERREACH Please take the following steps: (1) Speak out publicly and unequivocally that the takeover of USIP was unlawful, that all ongoing efforts to control or alter USIP must immediately cease, and that USIP must be returned to its lawful governance structure as established by Congress. (2) Hold comprehensive oversight hearings examining the role of the White House, DOGE, and other officials in removing USIP leadership, entering its headquarters, dismissing staff, using law enforcement, and taking control of USIP assets. (3) Pass legislation requiring the immediate restoration of USIP’s leadership, property, records, and operational independence, and clarifying that no administration may seize or repurpose USIP in violation of statute. (4) Require a full accounting to Congress of all actions taken at USIP since the takeover, including personnel decisions, use of facilities, handling of records, transfers of assets, and expenditure of appropriated funds. Failure to act will signal that Congress will not defend its own laws when they are violated, weakening its constitutional role and inviting similar actions. Thank you.