By Darren Lyn
HOUSTON, United States (AA) - A federal judge on Monday ruled that the Trump administration illegally maneuvered the takeover of the US Institute of Peace (USIP) and declared the actions "null and void."
"The President and his subordinates...used brute force and threats of criminal process to take over USIP’s headquarters, despite being cautioned that this organization did not fall within the Executive branch and its leadership was not subject to the President’s unilateral Executive branch removal power," US District Judge Beryl Howell wrote in her ruling.
USIP is an independent nonprofit corporation created by Congress and former President Ronald Reagan 40 years ago.
The organization was established by the executive and legislative branches of government "to advance a safer, more peaceful world with the specific tasks of conducting research, providing training on peacemaking techniques, and promoting peaceful conflict resolution abroad—without formally involving the U.S. government in foreign disputes," Howell wrote.
President Donald Trump executed the takeover through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) two months ago, forcefully entering USIP's headquarters, removing its president and board members and laying off most of its staff -- actions the judge said were unlawful.
"The Constitution makes clear that the President’s constitutional authority...does not grant him absolute removal authority over his subordinates," said Howell, adding that the forceful transfer of power was "effectuated by illegitimately-installed leaders who lacked legal authority to take these actions, which must therefore be declared null and void."
Howell said the institute's acting president, George Moose, would continue to serve as president of the organization and banned defendants from "further trespass against the real and personal property belonging to the Institute and its employees, contractors, agents, and other representatives."
"The President’s efforts here to take over an organization outside of those bounds...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," said Howell.