• A federal judge ruled Trump's takeover of USIP was unlawful.
• The takeover actions are deemed a "gross usurpation of power".
• Judge Howell called for the reinstatement of ousted officials.
• The ruling could face appeal by the Trump administration.

A federal judge ruled on Monday that the Trump administration's takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) was unlawful, exceeding the president’s constitutional authority, and ordered that ousted officials be reinstated. Judge Beryl Howell criticized the administration's actions as a "gross usurpation of power", noting that the USIP, created by Congress, operates as an independent entity that supports both the executive and legislative branches. Trump's actions were declared null and void, with Howell stating that lawful procedures were not followed in diminishing the institute's operations, including the wrongful removal of its board and leadership, which was carried out under the threat of armed enforcement. This conduct, Howell argued, unnecessarily "traumatized" the agency's employees, who "deserved better," according to ABC News, NPR, and The New York Times.

In a detailed 102-page ruling, Howell outlined that the Trump administration’s unilateral decisions violated the statutes governing the institute, leading to a forced takeover which involved physical confrontations and the use of law enforcement. The judge emphasized that such underhanded tactics not only undermined the legal framework but also disregarded the rights and professionalism of the agency's staff. Howell reiterated that Congress must give consent for changes in USIP operations, which the Trump administration failed to do in its effort to "gut" the organization to its "statutory minimums," according to ABC News and NPR.

The Trump administration's attempts to classify USIP as part of the executive branch were dismissed by Howell, who ruled that the organization functions independently as a think tank aimed at promoting peace and researching international conflicts. Therefore, the judge ruled that the administration could not lawfully enforce such a drastic change without congressional oversight. In response to the ruling, a White House spokesperson labeled Judge Howell's decision a "rogue judge’s attempt to impede on the separation of powers," and indicated plans for an appeal, further complicating the legal battle concerning USIP’s future, as noted by The New York Times.