Adding insult to injury: Trump's USIP rebrand uses an olive branch as a weapon

The U.S. Institute of Peace has been renamed to honor President Trump, with new signage installed at its headquarters this week amid ongoing disputes over control of the building. On Thursday, workers affixed letters spelling out The Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace, just before a ceremony marking a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The State Department confirmed the rebranding on Wednesday, framing it as recognition of Trumps strong leadership in global affairs. Social media posts promoting the event referred to the site as the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, described Trump as the greatest dealmaker in our nations history, and suggested that the best is yet to come.

This change follows months of controversy, during which officials from the Department of Government Efficiency seized control of the USIP headquarters on the National Mall, dismissed much of its staff, and halted ongoing programs. Police were involved in portions of the takeover, and interior fixtures displaying the institutes seal were removed. The administration has also proposed cutting federal funding for the organization, which Congress established in 1984 to support international conflict-resolution initiatives.

Independent journalist Marisa Kabas first reported the renaming. She noted on social media that the USIP building was raided and taken over by DOGE (with help from federal and local law enforcement) despite being an independent agency and owning the building. Litigation is ongoing, but Trump does not own this property. Kabas added that she has been closely tracking the situation since March and is currently involved in legal action to obtain body cam footage from the raid.

A federal judge ruled in May that the administrations seizure was illegal, though the ruling is currently paused as the government appeals. In the meantime, former employees have continued parts of the institutes work independently, awaiting a final court decision.

The renaming has drawn immediate backlash from former staff and foreign-policy experts. George Foote, attorney for previous USIP leadership, called the decision insult to injury, highlighting that a federal judge had already determined the takeover to be unlawful.

Author: Chloe Ramirez