Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02) and Nikema Williams (GA-05) led 20 members of Congress in demanding that President Trump halt his administration’s ongoing attacks on the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), including the unlawful firing of the USIP Board, trespass onto USIP property, and efforts to shut down the independent organization completely.
On Friday, March 14, 2025, the Trump administration tried to unlawfully fire USIP’s board, even though Congress created USIP to be an independent, nonprofit organization. On Monday, March 17, 2025, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) personnel trespassed onto USIP’s headquarters, aided by federal and local law enforcement officials. Since then, they have prevented USIP personnel from accessing the building, and USIP’s website has since been shut down.
“Hawai‘i’s own Senator Spark Matsunaga played an integral role in establishing the U.S. Institute of Peace because, as a veteran of the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team, he had seen the horrors of war and was determined to make peace a focal point of our nation’s foreign policy. For decades, the U.S. Institute of Peace has done just that, helping to advance our nation’s understanding of and commitment to peace in the world,” stated Rep. Jill Tokuda. “To have this place of peace violated by President Trump and Elon Musk as they weaponized federal law enforcement to target USIP over the will of Congress is an insult to every American who has fought and died for our freedoms. We cannot allow them to shut down this storied institution and to continue this reckless ransacking of public and private organizations.”
“The U.S. Institute of Peace demonstrates our nation’s commitment to investing in those most marginalized,” stated Rep. Nikema Williams. “Without peace, people cannot thrive—personally, economically, or as a society. The Trump Administration’s takeover of USIP is illegal, defies Congressional intent, and has inflicted irreparable harm on our national security and vulnerable communities worldwide.”
“Instead of adhering to Congress’s intent and the law, your administration has launched an unprecedented and unlawful assault on USIP,” wrote the lawmakers to President Trump. “[…] we demand that you cease your administration’s unlawful actions against USIP by respecting the authority of the duly appointed USIP Board members and recognize USIP’s status as an independent, nonprofit organized established by Congress. […] We believe that USIP has played and can continue to play a crucial role in our nation’s and your foreign policy.”
Other co-signers of the letter are Representatives Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ed Case (HI-02), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mark Takano (CA-39), Dina Titus (NV-01), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Maxine Waters (CA-43).
A copy of the letter can be found here.
###