The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is dealing with an unexpected mess after Elon Musk’s controversial “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) took over its Washington, D.C. headquarters earlier this year. According to a recent sworn statement from USIP’s CEO, George Moose, the building was left in a state of disarray, with significant water damage, rats, roaches, and poor security after DOGE’s involvement.
This shocking revelation comes just days after a federal judge ruled that DOGE’s attempt to take over USIP was illegal. Despite this legal setback, Musk has claimed that he’s stepping back from DOGE, but continues to work as an advisor to the administration, alongside former President Donald Trump.
The Takeover: A Rocky Start
The whole situation began back in March when DOGE began its takeover of the USIP building. This led to an intense standoff, including the nonprofit calling the police on Musk’s team. USIP’s headquarters, which is not part of the executive branch, was allegedly “broken into” by DOGE staff. Moose said it was clear that the administration wanted to dismantle USIP’s work in foreign assistance, a move similar to the broader cuts under the Trump administration.
At a press conference in May, Moose initially stated that the building seemed to be in decent shape. However, just a day later, his staff began surveying the building more closely and found extensive damage and neglect.
The Damage Revealed
Moose’s statement paints a grim picture of what USIP found upon regaining control of its headquarters. According to the statement, the building had been essentially abandoned for weeks, and DOGE had failed to maintain or secure it. This neglect led to significant damage, including signs of rats and roaches, which were reportedly not an issue before DOGE’s takeover in mid-March.
Other issues included poorly maintained security barriers, leaking water, and missing ceiling tiles in several areas. The building, Moose noted, had previously been well-maintained by USIP staff until the takeover, and the presence of water damage suggested a lack of proper oversight during DOGE’s time in charge.
Cleaning Up the Mess
In response to the damage, USIP has now hired a private security firm to safeguard the building and is handling the repairs and maintenance that DOGE neglected. It’s clear that restoring the building to its former condition will take time and resources, but USIP is committed to bringing everything back up to standard.
While DOGE may have exited the scene, the aftermath of its brief involvement has left USIP with a significant amount of work to do. Whether Musk’s other ventures can avoid similar chaos remains to be seen. For now, the nonprofit is focused on fixing the damage, both physical and organizational, and ensuring the peace-building work they do continues smoothly moving forward.
