Trump Formally Renamed The U.S. Institute of Peace After Himself/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself, even as a court fight over its control continues. The administration’s takeover and rebranding face legal challenges, with critics calling the move unconstitutional. A federal court decision on the institute’s fate is still pending.
Trump and Peace Institute Quick Looks
- Trump renames U.S. Institute of Peace in his honor
- Legal dispute ongoing over federal authority to seize control
- Renaming occurs despite judge ruling takeover was illegal
- Trump claims credit for global peace deals and ending conflicts
- Former staff, board ousted during controversial takeover
- Building to host Congo-Rwanda peace signing this week
- Critics call the move political and misleading
- USIP was originally created by Congress in 1984
Deep Look:
Trump Renames U.S. Institute of Peace Despite Legal Battle Over Control
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has formally renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself, even as a federal court continues to weigh the legality of his administration’s controversial takeover of the independent, congressionally established organization.
Now called the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, the building bearing the president’s name sits just blocks from the State Department. The sudden rebranding has reignited tensions over the administration’s authority to assume control of the nonprofit think tank, which for decades has focused on conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts in global hotspots.
The move is the latest twist in a months-long legal tug-of-war between Trump’s administration and the former leadership of the institute, which was originally created in the 1980s to operate independently of the executive branch.
A Seizure That Sparked a Legal Firestorm
Earlier this year, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) targeted the institute, describing it as wasteful and ineffective. His administration quickly fired the board, dismissed staff, and handed over control of the building to the General Services Administration (GSA).
In May, a federal district court ruled the takeover unlawful, but the ruling was temporarily overturned by a federal appeals court, allowing the administration to maintain control while the case moves through the judicial system. This decision remains under appeal.
George Foote, attorney for the ousted leadership and staff, criticized the renaming, calling it “insult to injury.”
“A federal judge already found the takeover illegal. The only reason the government still controls the building is because of a stay while the appeal plays out,” Foote said.
Trump Pushes Peace Credentials — and His Name
The State Department announced the renaming on Wednesday, calling it a tribute to “the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history.” A new sign displaying Trump’s name now hangs on the institute’s headquarters.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly justified the change, claiming the original institute wasted over $50 million annually.
“Now, the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, beautifully and aptly named, stands as a reminder of strong leadership that ended eight wars in under a year,” Kelly said.
“Congratulations, world!”
Despite that claim, Trump’s foreign policy has drawn mixed reviews. While he has promoted his role in securing peace agreements — and continues to campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize — his administration has also conducted military strikes, including recent action against alleged drug smuggling vessels near Venezuela.
Courtroom to Ceremony: What Comes Next
The building is expected to serve as the venue for a peace agreement signing between the presidents of Congo and Rwanda on Thursday. The event will feature top officials from the African Union, Uganda, Kenya, Angola, Qatar, and other nations.
While the USIP website remained unchanged as of Wednesday night, the lead story read:
“President Donald J. Trump to Sign Historic Peace Agreement at USIP Headquarters” — a headline that underscores the ongoing identity conflict surrounding the institution.
A Legacy Institution, Now in Limbo
Founded by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, the U.S. Institute of Peace has long operated as a nonpartisan, independent think tank, conducting conflict mediation and training in fragile regions across the globe. When DOGE shut down its operations earlier this year, the institute had active programs in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The Trump administration’s position is that the institute is part of the executive branch, subject to presidential authority. But critics argue its creation by Congress ensures its independence — and that any presidential power over its governance is unconstitutional.
Employees at the organization have now been terminated twice, and the building itself has switched hands multiple times amid dueling court orders.
Political Symbolism or Peacebuilding Legacy?
As the dispute continues, many view the rebranding as a symbolic power play rather than a substantive contribution to peace. Trump’s decision to stamp his name on a traditionally independent institution — while a federal court challenges his authority to do so — has drawn both criticism and bewilderment in Washington’s diplomatic circles.
Meanwhile, speculation is growing that Trump may soon receive a new international peace prize, potentially awarded by FIFA on the sidelines of the upcoming World Cup draw in Washington.
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