Federal Judge Declines to Block Firing of US Institute of Peace Leadership

The judge rebuked the government’s treatment of the institute’s employees.

The E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Court House in Washington on Feb. 19, 2025. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

A federal judge on March 19 decided not to block the Trump administration from firing the leadership of the U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP) and replacing them with an official from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

USIP and five of its board members had sued the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory body renamed by President Donald Trump to reduce government waste and spending, alleging that the government illegally fired its 10 acting board members—all of whom were presidentially appointed and confirmed by the Senate.