The court has Decided to oppose Doge and the U.S. government's complete control of the American Peace Institute in their legal battle, which includes a headquarters building worth an estimated $500 million.

In a memorandum, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the former agency board of directors and staff filing the lawsuit after forcibly dismissed him in March. She also strongly condemned the defendants in the case, including church services in the United States, President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and several other government representatives and agencies.

"It is illegal to allegedly dismiss the board of directors of the American Peace Institute (“USIP”) … it is said to be illegal," Howell wrote in the order.

The order states that forced withdrawal of USIP board members must be restored. It continues to declare any actions since the agency’s dismissal, including headquarters transfers, invalid. It further prohibits the defendant from "maintenance, retaining, obtaining or exercising access or control of the Institute's offices, facilities, computer systems or any other records, documents or resources".

The ruling restricts one of the most compelling chapters of the Dooger administration’s takeover to date. This is also one of the most complete negations of Doge Overreach.

The fight against USIP began with an executive order on February 19 that declared the agency “unnecessary” and effectively called for phase-out. In response, USIP told Doge representatives that it operates independently of the administration. It doesn't work. On March 14, the Trump administration fired 10 members of the USIP voting committee. According to a court application, Doge representatives on the day (accompanied by FBI agents) worked hard to enter USIP headquarters but were turned away.

In court documents, USIP's lawyers detailed attempts to quickly upgrade the institution's property. On Sunday, March 16, two FBI agents visited a senior USIP security employee at home to ask for information on how to enter the headquarters building. On the same day, Doge allegedly coordinated with USIP contract security company Inter-Con to enter the building; USIP officials discovered and immediately suspended Inter-Con's contract. Stopping them is not enough.

The next day, four Inter-CON employees appeared at the USIP headquarters, according to court documents. When their badge didn't work on the front door, one of their colleagues appeared on the physical key and gained access. USIP personnel then called DC Metropolitan police, claiming illegal entry. MPD officials eventually arrived - and helped Doge and other Trump administration officials take control of the building.

From there, the acquisition was quick. On Friday, March 21, six USIP employees received a notice of termination. Court documents show Doge representative Nate Cavanaugh was in charge of the agency on Tuesday, March 25 and directed the transfer of USIP's assets, including the headquarters building, to the General Services Authority controlled by Doge, according to court documents. On Friday, March 28, "almost all" of the remaining USIP employees were also terminated. The next day, the transfer of assets involved in the Director of Management and Budget Russell was signed - before the court had the opportunity to rule that USIP lawyers would stop the motion to stop the asset.