A federal judge condemned the Trump administration’s aggressive USIP takeover, calling the use of armed agents “abominable,” but refused to reinstate ousted board members

A federal judge has harshly criticized the Trump administration’s aggressive removal of United States Institute of Peace (USIP) board members but stopped short of reinstating them.

District Judge Beryl Howell blasted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for deploying armed agents to forcefully remove USIP officials from their offices, calling the move “abominable” and an “unjustifiable show of force.” However, Howell ruled that the legal standards for an immediate reinstatement were not met.

“I’m deeply offended by how DOGE has operated at the Institute and treated American citizens trying to fulfil their statutory duties,” Howell said. “But that concern alone does not provide the basis for granting a temporary restraining order.”

The standoff began when USIP board members were abruptly terminated via email. When DOGE officials arrived to enforce the order, USIP security denied them entry. Tensions escalated when FBI agents visited the USIP security chief at his home, and DOGE reportedly pressured a security contractor to comply. USIP responded by cutting ties with the contractor and ordering a full building lockdown.

Judge Howell pressed DOGE’s legal team on why such extreme measures were used. “Why bring in armed agents from three agencies to enforce an executive order?” she asked.

Despite Howell’s criticism, the Trump administration defended its actions, claiming the takeover was within executive authority. Legal experts have warned that the aggressive tactics set a dangerous precedent for government actions under Trump’s directives.

As DOGE takes full control of USIP, the legal battle is far from over, with further challenges expected in the coming weeks.