WASHINGTON — A representative aligned with the Department of Government Efficiency has been appointed to lead the U.S. Institute of Peace, a federally funded think tank that President Trump has targeted for closure, as revealed in a recent federal court filing.
According to the court documents, two board members of the Institute of Peace have approved the replacement of its temporary president with Nate Cavanaugh. He has been instructed to transfer the institute’s assets to the General Services Administration, which is in the process of terminating numerous leases under the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency.
The filing requests U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell to intervene, either stopping the transition or scheduling a status conference promptly to resolve the pressing issues.
There has been no immediate response from the White House regarding this matter.
This development follows a substantial dismissal of nearly all 300 employees at the institute that occurred late Friday night. Former staff reported that only a handful were not notified, including those working abroad who have been given until April 9 to return to the United States, as well as regional vice presidents overseeing various sectors.
A couple of ex-employees disclosed that they received private emails about their termination because they had been locked out of the institute’s internal system, limiting their ability to work since a tense standoff earlier this month when law enforcement accompanied Department of Government Efficiency representatives. They were instructed to collect their personal items by April 7.
An executive order issued by the former president in February designated the institute, which focuses on conflict prevention and resolution, along with three other agencies, for closure. The board members, recommended by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and the institute’s president were dismissed. Tensions escalated when employees attempted to block Department of Government Efficiency personnel from entering the institute’s headquarters, leading to police intervention.
Judge Howell previously reprimanded Department of Government Efficiency representatives for their actions but chose not to reinstate the dismissed board members or allow employees to re-enter their workplace.
The court filing acknowledges Howell’s prior decision to deny a temporary restraining order. “They seek relief now merely to maintain the status quo, preserving the court’s ability to grant relief should it conclude that the removal of numerous Institute directors was unlawful,” the document states.
