USIP Lawyer Recalls DOGE Team's Authoritarian Takedown

George Foote, the outside general counsel for the United States Institute of Peace, has vivid memories of the day operatives from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency arrived at the organization's headquarters. The DOGE team, as Foote described them, came in like a strike team, leaving behind a half-pound of marijuana, which a fellow panelist noted was likely a half-ounce. Foote shared his account at WIRED's Big Interview event in San Francisco on Thursday, where he also characterized the DOGE team's actions as indicative of a lot of the work of the department, which he likened to "brass knuckles on an authoritarian fist." Foote's comments were made in the context of the Trump administration's interest in the independent agency, which dates back to a February 19 executive order declaring the agency unnecessary and calling for it to be eliminated. In March, the administration fired the 10 voting board members of the USIP. Foote expressed uncertainty about Musk's intentions for the DOGE team, stating that he "took it to a destructive level." The panelist also noted that the DOGE team seemed to have no idea what to do with the USIP offices, which further added to the perception of their ineptitude. The USIP has been a target of the Trump administration's efforts to consolidate power and eliminate independent agencies. The executive order, signed on February 19, cited the agency's supposed inefficiencies and called for its elimination. However, the agency has maintained its independence and continued to operate despite the administration's efforts. Foote's comments also highlighted the broader implications of the DOGE team's actions, which he characterized as indicative of a larger trend of authoritarianism. The use of a private security team to intimidate and disrupt the operations of an independent agency raises concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions and the rule of law. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the USIP will navigate the challenges posed by the DOGE team and the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate it. Foote's comments serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting independent agencies and upholding the principles of democracy. In a statement, a spokesperson for the USIP declined to comment on the specifics of the DOGE team's actions, but emphasized the agency's commitment to its mission and its independence. The spokesperson noted that the agency will continue to operate and fulfill its duties despite the challenges posed by the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate it. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and independent agencies, which have been a hallmark of the administration's approach to governance. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the USIP will navigate the challenges posed by the DOGE team and the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate it.