The U.S. Institute of Peace sued the Trump administration overnight over the removal of board members and what was effectively a physical takeover of its D.C. headquarters.
The independent agency asked a federal judge to immediately prevent the Trump administration from “committing further trespass against the real and personal property belonging to the Institute and its employees, contractors, agents, and other representatives.” The filing also asked the judge to ensure that the organization maintains access to its offices, resources and records, and to keep board members from being removed.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, in Washington, D.C., ordered a hearing on the lawsuit today at 2 p.m.
The agency’s filing also details a confrontation between its officials and four former employees of the institute’s security contractor, who had been employed by the agency until the day before. The filing alleges that the contract with the security group, Inter-Con, had been suspended because of the group’s efforts to coordinate access into the building with the Trump downsizing initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency.
“Inter-Con and DOGE personnel engaged in additional attempts to unlawfully access the USIP headquarters building, but were eventually able to enter the building, forcibly occupy it, and expel including the duly appointed USIP President, other USIP personnel, and outside counsel,” the filing says.
Inter-Con did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on the allegations.