The police in Washington, D.C., found themselves in a challenging situation during a standoff between the staff of the U.S. Institute of Peace and officials representing the Trump administration, along with Elon Musk’s DOGE service. The confrontation arose because the latter sought to install a new president at the congressionally funded think tank. In the end, the police sided with the DOGE team. An NPR report by Meg Anderson provides further details.
George Moose had been overseeing the U.S. Institute of Peace, an organization aimed at preventing international conflicts, until Monday when police officers informed him that his tenure was over. This incident occurred as Moose addressed reporters outside the Institute. Employees of the Institute mentioned that they had contacted the Metropolitan Police Department that afternoon, as DOGE and Trump staff were attempting entry into the building. A statement from the MPD revealed that Ed Martin, the acting U.S. attorney for D.C.—appointed by President Trump and recognized as his ally—intervened by presenting a letter indicating Moose’s replacement. Consequently, the police requested Moose to vacate the premises. Vanessa Batters-Thompson of the D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice commented that the police acted appropriately in that instance.
DOGE and White House representatives justified their actions with the aforementioned letter, accusing Moose of acting unlawfully by not complying. Batters-Thompson posed a crucial question about the legality and validity of the document authorizing Moose’s firing.
On a legal front, the Institute of Peace has taken legal action against the Trump administration, claiming that correct procedures for leadership change were not followed. The think tank is a nonprofit entity established by Congress. This perspective aligns with that of Democratic Congressman Don Beyer, who criticized DOGE’s actions as an unlawful power maneuver, accusing it of misusing law enforcement. Rosa Brooks, a Georgetown University law professor and former MPD reserve officer, emphasized that such government standoffs place officers in a difficult position, as exemplified by the unique status of D.C. in relation to federal operations.
A judge recently refused the Institute’s request to stop the takeover, indicating that the legality of the Trump administration’s actions is complex due to the uncertain status of the U.S. Institute of Peace as either an independent entity or part of the executive branch. The judge remarked on the troubling involvement of law enforcement in the matter.
Efforts to reach U.S. Attorney Martin and DOGE for comments on the situation were unsuccessful. This report was provided by Meg Anderson for NPR News.
