Elon Musk's DOGE nerd army left 'drugs, graffiti, roaches and rats' behind after taking over Institute of Peace
George E. Moose, acting president and CEO of the institute, filed an affidavit testifying that employees found it damaged when they returned after DOGE took it over.
A photograph of marijuana was posted by Economist reporter Daniel Knowles on the Bluesky social media platform. He said it was provided to him by someone from the institute who found it in the garbage after DOGE left.
'Among other things, they reported evidence of rats and roaches in the building. Vermin were not a problem prior to March 17, 2025,' Moose wrote, adding that employees also discovered 'water leaks, damage to the garage door, and missing ceiling tiles in multiple places in the building.'
He also reported evidence that 'someone had scrawled graffiti on one of the outside spaces.'
Social media posts showed that the building logo was also removed, but was put back up after officials returned.
'One of the first things DOGE did upon entering the U.S. Institute of Peace was tear down the logo. . . .and one of the first things we did upon recovering the building, was put it back up. It is a heck of a logo, packing a ton of history, culture, and aspiration into a small symbol. Hopefully the institute survives to continue to bring all that to life,' wrote Keith Mines on LinkedIn.
The White House did not return a request for comment.
The Institute of Peace was founded as an independent, national institution funded by Congress and was established in 1984.
The battle over the Institute of Peace is considered one of the most dramatic attempts by DOGE to take control of an organization.
Entrenched employees refused to leave the building when ordered to do so.
President Trump first signed an executive order that specifically ordered the Institute of Peace reduce its size to the statutory minimum, prompting his administration to fire 11 of the 14 board members.
The remaining board members appointed Kenneth Jackson acting president and fired Moose.
When agency officials refused to grant DOGE officials access to the building, they returned with FBI agents to gain entry.
The White House condemned behavior by Institute of Peace employees after the standoff, describing them as 'rogue bureaucrats.'
'They barricaded the doors. They also disabled telephone lines, internet connections and other IT infrastructure within the building. They distributed fliers internally, encouraging each other to basically prevent these individuals from accessing the building,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the time.
'It's a resistance from bureaucrats who don't want to see change in this city. President Trump was elected on an overwhelming mandate to seek change and implement change. And this is unacceptable behavior.'
DOGE employees said the standoff with the Institute of Peace was among the most contentious of its fights with Washington bureaucracy.
'It was by far the least peaceful agency that we've worked with, ironically,' one DOGE agent told Fox News host Jesse Watters in an interview, revealing they found 'loaded guns' in the building.
DOGE employees told Fox News they found spending on private jet flights, and a $130,000 contract with the Taliban for 'generic services.'
They also said that the chief accountant had deleted over a terabyte of accounting records, which they were able to restore
'That's the definition of a cover up,' Musk said.
D.C. federal judge Beryl Howell ruled in May that the Institute of Peace is not part of the executive branch and so the Trump administration illegally removed the president of the organization and staff, while 'probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute.'
'The President's efforts here to take over an organization outside of those bounds, contrary to statute established by Congress and by acts of force and threat using local and federal law enforcement officers, represented a gross usurpation of power and a way of conducting government affairs that unnecessarily traumatized the committed leadership and employees of USIP, who deserved better,' Howell wrote.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
35 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Report: Toyota Still Considering Smaller Unibody Truck for US
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Sure, they're cleaner and more energy efficient, but automakers like Hyundai, Cadillac and Porsche are betting a better way to get buyers interested in EVs is to sell their unrivaled performance. Ford and Hyundai have succeeded in the compact truck segment — could Toyota be next? Small trucks have had a bumpy history in the States. However, lately, some automakers have found success with smaller-than-usual offerings, including Ford's Maverick and Hyundai's Santa Cruz, both of which are small pickups. The small truck segment could grow even more with the Bezos-backed Slate pickup, albeit its existence has become a lot more uncertain in the last few weeks as EV incentives go the way of Amelia Earhart. Then, we get to Toyota. Recent reports coming from Automotive News seem to indicate Toyota may still bring a tyke-sized truck to the US market, and it might not be the truck you expect it to be. 2025 Toyota Tacoma SR 2025 Ford Maverick Lariat A smaller Toyota truck would not share much with existing Toyota truck offerings While the current Toyota truck lineup in the US features solely body-on-frame construction, the prospective addition to the family would likely be based on the RAV4. Automotive News reports that Toyota Motor North America is still 'studying' a compact unibody-based pickup for the US market. They also confirm that the Corolla-based and electrified truck that Toyota is selling in Brazil is decidedly 'too small' for the US. Disappearing incentives/rebates and tariffs are also likely contributing factors as to why we won't get that smaller pickup. By providing your email address, you agree that it may be used pursuant to Arena Group's Privacy Policy. Toyota EPU Concept Toyota EPU Concept A truck built on the TNGA-K platform — which underpins the RAV4, Camry, Sienna, and others — means staying more than competitive with other small truck offerings. The Grand Highlander, a TNGA-K vehicle, can tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is 1,000 more than what the Maverick can muster. Considering even the three-row Grand Highlander is only two inches longer than the Maverick, the platform's size would be right on the money, too. Although at one point speculation pointed towards electrification, that plan — if there ever was one — is almost certainly scrapped in the face of loosening EPA regulations and dashed EV rebates. In the US, anyway, as Europe is a different story. Automotive News thinks 2028 would be the earliest we'd see the hypothetical truck. A new small truck fits Toyota's goals like a glove In related chats with Ted Ogawa, Toyota North America CEO, Automotive News uncovered additional pieces of the puzzle that might point towards a tinier truck alternative. 'When we talk about affordability, the key is the entry segment,' Ogawa says. 'So, in our lineup, that means Corolla and Corolla Cross.' That covers the small SUV and sedan segment; why not bring in an 'entry segment' truck to round things out? Another priority of Ogawa's — and, realistically, all automakers — is getting the most bang per buck at a platform level. 'Products must be refreshed, but the platform can be extended,' he tells AN. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. There's one last intimation we glean from the Ogawa interview. 'Toyota's basic policy is to build where we sell and buy where we build,' he starts. Later, we get a real-world example. 'In the case of the Corolla sedan, currently the internal-combustion version is built in Mississippi. But the hybrid is built in Japan, because that plant is more competitive for that product.' We can't imagine any market more ready to chomp at the bit for an affordable, small Toyota pickup than the US. The Slate hype — which may have, ultimately, been just that — was all the evidence we needed. 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 2025 Ford Maverick Final thoughts New Toyota truck rumors have persisted for years. Ford moved 48,041 Mavericks in just the second quarter of 2025. Arguably more importantly, a whopping 60% of Maverick buyers were new to the brand. Some of those customers inevitably migrated from Toyota, and that's got to hurt. We think the chances are high that Toyota wants to bring a competitor to the market. It's just a question of when, and whether or not 2028 will be too late. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
The Guardian
36 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson arrested on domestic violence offense at Washington airport
Reigning 100m world champion Sha'Carri Richardson was arrested last weekend for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Richardson was arrested Sunday on a fourth-degree domestic violence offense, according to a police report obtained by the Associated Press. On Thursday, she ran in the opening round of the women's 100m at US track and field championships in Eugene, Oregon. She has an automatic bye to the world championships in September in Tokyo as the defending champion. The 25-year-old Richardson was booked into the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) in Des Moines, Washington, at 6.54pm last Sunday and released Monday at 1.13pm. 'USATF is aware of the reports and is not commenting on this matter,' USA Track and Field said in a statement. Richardson's agent did not immediately reply to an email request for comment. The police report said an officer at the airport was notified by a Transportation Security Administration supervisor of a disturbance between Richardson and her boyfriend, sprinter Christian Coleman. The officer reviewed camera footage and observed Richardson reach out with her left arm and grab Coleman's backpack and yank it away. Richardson then appeared to get in Coleman's way with Coleman trying to step around her. Coleman was shoved into a wall. The report later said Richardson appeared to throw an item at Coleman, which the TSA indicated may have been headphones. In the police report, the officer said: 'I was told Coleman did not want to participate any further in the investigation and declined to be a victim.' Richardson won the 100 at the 2023 world championships in Budapest and finished with the silver at the Paris Games last summer. She also helped the 4x100 relay to an Olympic gold. She had a positive marijuana test at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials and didn't compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
Reuters
36 minutes ago
- Reuters
Commanders coach on Terry McLaurin trade request: Business as usual
August 2 - Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Saturday that he understands the business side of the sport when it comes to wide receiver Terry McLaurin requesting a trade from the team. McLaurin asked for a change of scenery on Thursday given his frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations toward a contract extension. Quinn said McLaurin told him of his plea for a trade before the news became public. "We love Terry. I'm really glad he's here," Quinn said. "Hopefully he's out practicing soon. We also understand there's the business side of this things that (general manager) Adam (Peters) and his side and Terry and his reps are working it through. I just kind of stay in that space. We recognize both are happening. "But like I said, I'm really glad he's here. I love coaching him. But the business side, that's kind of where it's at. It's not -- somebody asked me if it's a distraction -- it is not. Players today, they're more aware of contracts and things maybe than they used to be. They recognize that business part happens, as well, so for the team, we're just rocking and going and throwing some great practices. "For Terry and the trade request, that's part of normal business that is happening around the NFL. It's normal, we understand it, and we just throw our very best practices out on the field." McLaurin, who turns 30 in September, became a hold-in and was placed on the team's physically unable to perform list with an apparent ankle injury suffered last season. He did not attend organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. He did, however, participate in spring workouts. With a base salary of $15.5 million and cap hit of $25.5 million in the final season of a three-year, $68.3 million contract, the speedster is coming off a career year with 1,096 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns and 82 receptions on 117 targets. He added three scores and 227 yards on 14 receptions in three playoff games. McLaurin and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels helped lead Washington to a 12-5 regular-season mark and its best season since it won the Super Bowl in 1991. The Commanders knocked off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round and Detroit Lions in the divisional round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Over six seasons with Washington, the two-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2024) has 6,379 receiving yards, 38 touchdowns and 460 catches in 97 games. A team captain, McLaurin has hit the 1,000-yard mark for a franchise-record five straight seasons despite instability at the quarterback position before Daniels' NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. --Field Level Media
