The Trump administration's plans to renovate the US Institute of Peace building, seized from the organization last year, may be in violation of a court order. Former employees of the USIP have sent a letter to the Department of Justice, claiming that the State Department is making changes to the building without permission and possibly using it for a new international organization called the "Board of Peace."
The USIP was forced out of its headquarters last year after President Trump's administration fired most of the organization's board. However, in May, a court ruled that this was unlawful, and an appeals court issued a stay on that ruling, allowing the building to be returned to the administration's control.
But now, it appears that the State Department has signed a 10-year agreement with the USIP, which would have hundreds of department employees move into the building. The former USIP staff claim that this is a violation of the court order and that the government does not have permission to make such changes.
The letter asks for information on whether the State Department plans to house the "Board of Peace" at the USIP headquarters building, as well as confirmation of the funds in USIP's endowment. The former employees claim that these funds may be used to remodel the building for the benefit of the State Department.
This move has raised concerns among former USIP staff and board members, who feel that they are being unfairly pushed out of their own building. "They're acting under the stay as though they have a license to use the building," says George Foote, counsel for former USIP leadership and staff. "A stay is not permission for the loser of a case to hijack the property of the winning party."
The USIP was forced out of its headquarters last year after President Trump's administration fired most of the organization's board. However, in May, a court ruled that this was unlawful, and an appeals court issued a stay on that ruling, allowing the building to be returned to the administration's control.
But now, it appears that the State Department has signed a 10-year agreement with the USIP, which would have hundreds of department employees move into the building. The former USIP staff claim that this is a violation of the court order and that the government does not have permission to make such changes.
The letter asks for information on whether the State Department plans to house the "Board of Peace" at the USIP headquarters building, as well as confirmation of the funds in USIP's endowment. The former employees claim that these funds may be used to remodel the building for the benefit of the State Department.
This move has raised concerns among former USIP staff and board members, who feel that they are being unfairly pushed out of their own building. "They're acting under the stay as though they have a license to use the building," says George Foote, counsel for former USIP leadership and staff. "A stay is not permission for the loser of a case to hijack the property of the winning party."
I'm getting all sorts of vibes from this one, fam! Like, I get that politics can be super messy, but isn't it wild how some people think they can just swoop in and take control of someone else's space? The fact that former USIP staff are going through hoops to figure out what's really going on with the building is pretty concerning. And honestly, who do these "Board of Peace" folks think they are? It's like, come on, own your own space, you know?
The fact that the State Department is making changes to the building without permission is insane! 
A 10-year agreement? That's just begging for a lawsuit! 
Did you know that the USIP building has been valued at over $60 million dollars? 
If they're using those funds to remodel it, that's like, major tax payer money right there... 
What's next? Are they gonna start serving free lunches in the break room too? 
? Newsflash: you can't just ignore a court order, buddy! 
and now you're trying to sneak around by signing some fancy agreement with the USIP? Like that's going to fly under the radar... please. And what's with this "Board of Peace" thingy? Sounds like a bunch of hooey to me 
. The former staff are totally right to be up in arms about this, btw. You can't just push people out of their own building and then act all victim-y when they try to fight back 
.
. The Calm Analyst says keep an eye on this one, folks 
It seems like a pretty shady move to me. And now we're seeing this 10-year agreement with hundreds of employees moving in... it just doesn't add up.
I mean, what if someone showed up at your office building and said, "Hey, we're taking over now"? You'd be like, "Uh, no thanks"! 
Same thing here.
?
. And if they are using the funds for some new org called "Board of Peace", that's just low 
. I don't get why they can't just leave USIP alone and let them decide what to do with their own building 
. I mean, shouldn't the court order be followed? It doesn't seem right that the government is trying to use USIP's own building for their own purposes without being told they can't