Federal judge bashes DOGE and sides with 'Peace'--but is it too late?

U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell just scorched the Trump administration over its incredibly unconstitutional dismantling of the United States Institute of Peace. The 102-page opinion filed on Monday is a delightful master class in how to call out a lawless president and his minions.

Yet the victory feels both incomplete and bittersweet. There is no doubt that the administration will appeal, including likely running to the Supreme Court for emergency relief if it doesn’t get its way in the appellate court. And it’s bittersweet because Judge Howell was uniquely positioned to stop the destruction that Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency wreaked upon USIP, but didn’t.

But first, the good news.

Recall that in March, DOGE seized control of the USIP building while Trump seized control of its board, which they had to do, per the White House, because “rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage.” However, people who work for USIP aren’t even federal employees, so they can’t be bureaucrats, rogue or otherwise. Also, USIP isn’t an agency but a private nonprofit corporation. Nonetheless, the Washington D.C. Metro Police, the FBI, and then-interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Ed Martin all assisted DOGE’s literal break-in at the USIP building.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/5/20/2323264/-Federal-judge-bashes-DOGE-and-sides-with-Peace-but-is-it-too-late