Elon Musk’s DOGE Uses Police to Seize Independent Nonprofit

https://newrepublic.com/post/192854/elon-musk-doge-police-independent-nonprofit-usip

33 comments

  1. >The USIP, an independent nonprofit founded by Congress, had its president, Greg Moose, and its board fired last week by the Trump administration. The Associated Press [reported](https://apnews.com/article/doge-trump-us-institute-of-peace-03362c3440884c6b29e28ad0d88f5014) that DOGE workers on Monday had law enforcement escort them into USIP, which is not located in a federal building, after previously being denied access. 

    >“DOGE just came into the building—they’re inside the building—they’re bringing the F.B.I. and brought a bunch of D.C. police,” USIP lawyer Sophia Lin [told](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/17/us/politics/doge-musk-institute-of-peace.html) *The New York Times* as she and other staff members were forced out of the building.

    >“What has happened here today is an illegal takeover by elements of the executive branch of a private nonprofit,” Moose [told](https://www.4029tv.com/article/trump-usip-takeover-controversy/64212777) reporters. “It was very clear that there was a desire on the part of the administration to dismantle a lot of what we call foreign assistance, and we are part of that family.”

  2. Regardless of whether you know or care about USIP, this sets a terrifying precedence.

    DOGE’s unqualified goons are using government police to seize buildings and assets ILLEGALY. This is a huge deal and needs to be fought in court tooth and nail.

    A big shoutout to Schumer and the rest of the spineless dems that passed the CR, it’s done wonders to prevent the Trump administration from destroying what’s left of this country. /s

  3. “Independent” really can’t be stressed enough. This wasn’t an Executive Branch agency where there’s at least an *argument* that they have to cooperate with whatever Trump authorizes no matter how stupid.  This is private property.

  4. Yeah this is pretty shocking. What happens when the police are not following the law? Who is held responsible?

  5. What cowards, following that dipshit’s orders like he’s a god.

  8. Not a government agency. It’s legally separate. This is a hostile takeover.

  9. The fact is, the U.S. Institute of Peace is not a federal agency or located in a federal building so how on earth did DOGe do that? Someone going to pay for this……..tRump and muskrat are at the top of the list……………

  10. Are these police acting most like:

    1. Brownshirts,
    2. Gestapo, or
    3. SS?

    Trying to figure out where the US is in its transition to tyranny.

  12. Can somebody please just arrest and deport this motherfucker already?

  13. This is really messed up. What’s it going to take for an intervention?!

  14. This is the scariest one yet.
    Look, we know local police forces are almost all in the MAGA camp, but here’s the first actual example of them being used as brownshirts.
    We keep crossing lines in the sand. Eventually we’re going to end up backing into the ocean.

  15. Scary stuff. Who will speak up for them? Federal Judges have intervened in USAID but that didn’t help when the Judiciary was ignored.

  16. The Gestapo at work, folks.
    That’s how your tax is being used.

  17. Remember “Just following orders” is not an excuse. Seizing private property by the state, without a court order is a violation of the fourth amendment. Trump/Elon wont be held to account but the actual police officers and FBI agents are going to have to be. We need to make an example out of them.

  19. Can someone explain how dismantling a private non profit makes the government more efficient?

  20. I’m so done with DOGE’s antics. What they are doing is illegal. They’ll be breaking into our homes next.

  21. Police going along with this is absolutely insane, but not surprising. Remember, the police are not there to serve and protect the public. They’re there to serve and protect rich white folks. That’s what they mean by law and order.

  22. I’d like to know how exactly the staff were ‘forced out of the building’. I know police entered the premises, how exactly did they ask/tell/make people leave? Sweep room by room, make an announcement over the tannoy? Pull the fire alarm? Round office workers up at gunpoint? Did anyone record that? Is it on surveillance camera that can be released? I’m imagining how it might have been done where I work, it’s actually horrifying. Did anyone try to refuse, were they threatened? How illegal did this get?

  23. It’s really disgusting in this article how the White House spokesperson was referring to agencies as belonging to Trump. The government does not belong to the president. It belongs to the people.

  24. File criminal charges as well as sue the federal government

    It’s the only way to stop these fools

  25. I work for an independent nonprofit founded by congress. This is fucked.

  26. This is absolutely appalling, why is this tolerated? WTF happened to this country? Even if you’re racist and dumb why would you want the government to have this kind of power?

  27. I wonder how long it will take for the American people to revolt.
    This is all insane

  30. Were the “eggs” worth it!?
    Because, I’m certain some of you that voted for the clown are in these comments pretending like you didn’t.
    In case you haven’t noticed, read again and it said that they were escorted by the FBI and DC police.
    They’ve been waiting for a day like this, That friendly neighborhood cop you think is on your side is not going to save you.

  31. Effective immediately: I am firing all personnel at Comcast and I call on the Philadelphia police to escort folks out of the building on my behalf.

  32. Government seizure of private property, but all the people who fear cOmUnIsM!!!1 are just fine with it. 

  33. I am so fucking sick of seeing the word “DOGE” as if it’s a serious government agency.

    What a fucking mockery they have made of our country.

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