Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), a congressionally funded nonprofit dedicated to international stability, found its headquarters in disarray following an unusual takeover and subsequent abandonment by operatives from DOGE, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The incident has raised concerns about the stewardship of government resources and the impact of abrupt policy shifts.

The Takeover

In March,DOGE operatives seized control of the USIP headquarters,a modern structure near the National mall. The takeover involved a dramatic standoff, with local police and FBI agents ejecting all personnel, including USIP President George moose, a veteran diplomat. The move came shortly after Donald Trump, during his latest term as president, labeled USIP as needless and issued an executive order targeting the institute.

Aftermath and Decay

Following the takeover, DOGE dismissed USIP’s staff, replaced its board with loyalists, and then seemingly abandoned the facility. Colin O’Brien, USIP’s chief of security, described the conditions discovered upon re-entry as offensive. He noted that the offices resembled a scene from a zombie apocalypse movie,frozen in time,with everything left exactly as it was when the house was cleaned out. This abandonment led to significant maintenance issues and potential health hazards.

Maintenance Neglect and Infestation

O’Brien emphasized the critical importance of continuous maintenance for large commercial buildings. Anyone who manages large commercial buildings understands that maintenance is not something you can just stop doing for two months, he stated. DOGE’s actions included canceling contracts, which led to a cascade of problems.

• Rodent Infestation: DOGE employees failed to clear food left on the premises, attracting rodents. USIP had a cafe managed by a contractor, with food being stored onsite.Additionally, USIP personnel had food in refrigerators throughout the building, along with snack items they didn’t have a chance to remove from desks and cabinets before DOGE summarily booted them from the property.
• Roach Infestation: Abandoned perishables attracted roaches,which entered through dried-up wastewater and drainage pipes.
• Water Leaks: Several water leaks further exacerbated the infestation issues.

Additional Damage and Security Concerns

Beyond infestations, the building suffered additional damage and security lapses:

• Missing ceiling tiles
• rampant water damage
• Non-operational vehicle barriers
• Weeds growing in the cooling tower, posing a risk for Legionnaires’ disease
• Graffiti on an exterior wall due to inadequate security

These things can turn into major, $100,000-plus repairs for lack of maintenance, O’Brien said. Now we’re in a rush to play catchup.

Vandalism and Symbolic Destruction

O’Brien also highlighted acts of vandalism that appeared deliberate. They ripped the main logo off the wall when you come into the lobby, and while we have most of the parts back, would you be surprised that we’re still missing four letters: U, S, I, and P? he noted. That’s not coincidental. Additionally, more than a dozen USIP flags were removed and remain missing, believed to be taken as war trophies.

Reactions and Comparisons

O’Brien struggled to articulate the emotions he felt upon re-entering the USIP building, describing the situation as uncharted. He drew a parallel to historical events, stating, The closest thing you can compare this to is McCarthyism, and even that pales in comparison to the total destruction that is occurring right now.

USIP’s Commitment to Peace

Despite the challenges, O’Brien emphasized USIP’s dedication to its mission. He described his colleagues as the most amazing group of people, who care about making the world better, often at personal sacrifice. He noted the institute’s growth during Trump’s previous term, highlighting a disconnect between the current administration’s view and USIP’s actual impact.

[Trump] gets sworn in on January 20, and in his inauguration speech, he said, ‘I’m a peacemaker,’ O’Brien recalled. USIP is the only publicly-funded private institution that is dedicated to peace in the developed world. We are unique,with a 40-year legacy of trying to do the right thing and make this world just a little bit better.

O’Brien affirmed USIP’s willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration, stating, It’s not that we’re against the administration, or against Trump. It’s that we’re ready to do this work with whomever.

Legal Reversal and DOGE’s Exit

On May 19, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled the DOGE seizure unlawful and ordered the reinstatement of Moose and his staff. Howell criticized Trump’s actions as a gross usurpation of power that unnecessarily traumatized the committed leadership and employees of USIP, who deserved better.

With USIP regaining control, Musk concluded his 130-day tenure as a special government employee. DOGE failed to achieve its promised spending reductions, leading to questions about its effectiveness. Reports indicate that Trump himself questioned, Was it all bulls**t?

Looking Ahead

Moose faces the daunting task of rebuilding USIP. O’Brien expressed unwavering support for Moose, stating, Ride or die, I’m standing next to him.

DOGE officials did not respond to requests for comment.