The United States Institute of Peace underwent a dramatic transformation in March when Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency stripped the agency of its staff and leadership.
Trump has since “renamed the worst of the deep state after himself,” the Daily Caller reported.
Now operating under a new name and mission, the renamed DJT USIP is positioning itself as a direct extension of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
The agency, established by Congress in 1984, was gutted by DOGE in a March operation that removed nearly all personnel.
The building sat largely vacant for months before the State Department officially renamed it after Trump on Dec. 3.
Darren Beattie, the Acting Director of DJT USIP, revealed in an interview with the Caller how the restructured agency plans to operate.
The focus has shifted dramatically from its original congressional mandate.
“I’m very excited about using not only the space but the programmatic aspect of USIP to highlight and, where possible, to help to facilitate and incubate these peacemaking efforts,” Beattie stated.
He indicated the agency is already in discussions with parties interested in using the facility to develop peace agreements in various global regions.
The transformation represents a fundamental shift in the agency’s purpose and operations.
What was once an independent institute now functions as an arm of the executive branch.
The original USIP website described its mission as working to “prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad.”
The updated website now states the agency exists to “support the Executive Branch in resolving violent conflict abroad.”
Beattie explained the agency will be “closely integrated” with the State Department.
Beyond facilitating peace negotiations, the institute will provide physical space to serve administration needs.
The March takeover sparked legal action from former USIP staff members.
The lawsuit challenges whether the president possesses authority to seize control of the congressionally created agency.
Beattie acknowledged the lawsuit’s outcome will significantly impact DJT USIP’s future operations, particularly regarding staffing decisions. However, he indicated the legal challenge has not prevented current planning and operations.
The agency currently operates with what Beattie described as a “small skeleton-like crew.”
He stated that expanding staff to support the new mission remains “premature” at this stage.
Despite minimal staffing, Beattie expressed readiness to begin using the facility for its new purpose.
“We’re going to be much more streamlined now in this new iteration, and much more narrowly focused to advance those kinds of foreign policy goals of the administration,” he told the Caller regarding future hiring plans.
DOGE justified the March takeover by citing leadership failures to comply with a Feb. 19 executive order.
That order mandated elimination of “non-statutory components and functions” at USIP and other government-funded entities.
The purge removed eleven board members from their positions.
The remaining board members subsequently appointed Kenneth Jackson, a Trump ally, as acting director before Beattie assumed the role.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly previously outlined the agency’s expanded role beyond peace facilitation in an interview with the Caller.
Kelly stated DJT USIP will collaborate with the State Department “to advance America’s national interests and policies that support peace through strength.”
