US judge rules Trump unlawfully ousted board members of Institute of Peace
WASHINGTON: A federal judge in Washington ruled on Monday that the Trump administration illegally ousted leaders of the US Institute of Peace, calling the effort a 'gross usurpation of power.'
In her decision, US District Judge Beryl Howell said Republican President Donald Trump overstepped his power when his administration removed five board members without cause from the nonprofit organization, which is funded by the US Congress.
The administration's efforts to control the direction of the Institute of Peace became a public standoff in March, when some staff of the organization locked the building's doors to bar members of Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, from entering.
Local police were called and subsequently expelled the organization's leadership, including its president.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly in a statement called the Institute of Peace a 'failed' organization, and said Trump acted lawfully in reducing the group's budget. 'This rogue judge's attempt to impede on the separation of powers will not be the last say on the matter,' Kelly said.
Lawyers for the board members who sued did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Institute was founded by Congress in 1984 with a mandate to protect US interests by helping to prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad.
Howell said the administration's move to control the group '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.'
The Justice Department, which had argued the board members were lawfully removed, can appeal Howell's order to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Howell in March ruled against the Institute's request for a temporary, emergency order to stop the Trump administration from controlling the organization.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
In meeting with US lawmakers, Pakistani delegation says Delhi resisting dialogue with Islamabad
KARACHI: A Pakistani delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met a group of American lawmakers on Thursday, telling them that India is consistently resisting dialogue to resolve bilateral issues. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set up the delegation last month, tasking it to present Pakistan's point of view regarding the country's conflict with India last month. India and Pakistan last month engaged in four days of fighting, striking each other with missiles, drones, artillery and fighter jets before Washington brokered a ceasefire on May 10. Bhutto Zardari's delegation has held a series of meetings with top international diplomats since arriving in New York on Monday, urging the global community to help India and Pakistan enter a comprehensive dialogue to peacefully resolve their differences. On Thursday the delegation met members of the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus in Washington. These included Republican party leaders Jack Bergman and Ryan Zinke and Democratic leaders Tom Suozzi and Ilhan Omar, among others. 'Pakistan remains committed to peace, but sadly, India consistently resists dialogue,' Bhutto Zardari was quoted as saying by Bilawal House, his official residence. The former foreign minister criticized India's decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old water-sharing agreement with Pakistan. 'India has weaponized water, endangering the future of not only Pakistan but the entire region,' he said. He warned that if Indian hostility is not curbed in time, it could 'seriously jeopardize regional peace.' The Pakistani politician reaffirmed his country's desire for constructive engagement based on mutual respect and peaceful resolution of disputes, the statement said. 'The members of Congress welcomed the delegation, listened carefully to Pakistan's concerns, and expressed willingness to strengthen bilateral engagement and regional stability,' the statement concluded. Tensions between the arch-rivals began on April 22 when militants attacked a resort in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pahalgam area, killing 26 tourists. India blamed Pakistan for supporting militants involved in the attack, a charge Pakistan vehemently denied and called for a transparent, international probe into the incident. Pakistan and India, bitter rivals, have fought two out of three wars over the disputed territory of Kashmir that they both claim in full but govern only parts of. India accuses Pakistan of supporting militants in the part of Kashmir it administers. Islamabad denies the allegation and says it extends only diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir.
Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Trump signs new travel ban targeting 12 countries after Colorado protest attack
In this episode of W News, presented by Leigh-Ann Gerrans, we report on US President Donald Trump signing a new travel ban set to take effect Monday. The measure targets 12 countries – including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen –and follows a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado. Authorities say the suspect was in the US illegally. We also report on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's claim that NATO allies are close to meeting Trump's demand for a sharp rise in defense spending, with a deal expected ahead of this month's summit. Guests: Sara Firth – Correspondent James Jackson – Journalist Jim Townsend – Former Pentagon official
Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Trump Speaks with Xi amid Stalled Talks between the US, China over Tariffs
US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on Thursday at a time when stalled tariff negotiations between their two countries have roiled global trade. The conversation was confirmed by the Chinese foreign ministry, which said Trump initiated the call, The AP news reported. Trump had declared one day earlier that it was difficult to reach a deal with Xi. 'I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!" Trump posted Wednesday on his social media site. Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 agreement between the two countries to reduce their tariff rates while talks played out. Behind the gridlock has been the continued competition for an economic edge. The US accuses China of not exporting critical minerals, and the Chinese government objects to America restricting its sale of advanced chips and its access to student visas for college and graduate students. Trump has lowered his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% for 90 days to allow for talks. China also reduced its taxes on US goods from 125% to 10%. The back and forth has caused sharp swings in global markets and threatens to hamper trade between the two countries. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had suggested that only a conversation between Trump and Xi could resolve these differences so that talks could restart in earnest. The underlying tension between the two countries may still persist, though. Even if negotiations resume, Trump wants to lessen America's reliance on Chinese factories and reindustrialize the US, whereas China wants the ability to continue its push into technologies such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence that could be crucial to securing its economic future. The United States ran a trade imbalance of $295 billion with China in 2024, according to the Census Bureau. While the Chinese government's focus on manufacturing has turned it into a major economic and geopolitical power, China has been muddling through a slowing economy after a real estate crisis and coronavirus pandemic lockdowns weakened consumer spending. Trump and Xi had last spoken in January, three days before Inauguration Day. The pair discussed trade then, as well as Trump's demands that China do more to prevent the synthetic opioid fentanyl from entering the United States. Trump had long expressed optimism about the prospects for a major deal, before his post suggesting Xi was making that difficult. Last week, Trump went further, posting, 'The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,' Trump posted. 'So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!'
