Overview

• D.C. federal judge Beryl Howell ruled in May that the Department of Government Efficiency’s March takeover of the United States Institute of Peace was unlawful and ordered the building returned to independent control.
• When employees re-entered the Washington headquarters on May 19, they encountered water leaks, missing ceiling tiles, graffiti, rats and roaches from weeks of neglect.
• Cleaning crews discovered a discarded stash of marijuana believed to have been left by DOGE staffers who occupied the building during the standoff.
• Elon Musk officially stepped down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency last week after securing minimal cost savings and facing multiple ethics lawsuits.
• USIP has filed additional legal challenges to hold DOGE accountable for property damage and to reaffirm its statutory independence from executive overreach.