President Donald Trump has signed an executive order (EO) that will significantly shrink the size and scope of the US Institute of Peace (USIP).
The EO calls for the "non-statutory components and functions of [USIP to] be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law," and calling for it to "reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law."
Within 14 days, the head of USIP must submit a report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) confirming compliance with the order.
Established in 1984 by the US Congress (during the Reagan Administration), it has an annual budget of around $55 million and employs some 300 people.
The secretaries of State and Defense and the president of the National
Defense University (NDU) serve on USIP’s Board of Directors, with 12
distinguished Democratic and Republican leaders nominated by the US president and confirmed by the Senate.
The think tank, which has an established presence in 15+ countries, asked the federal government for around $55 million for FY2025.
Trying to cut USIP funding is nothing new.
Here is a 2024 Heritage Foundation piece entitled "The US Institute of Peace is Politicized and Unaccountable."
Much more coming soon...
