The U.S. Institute of Peace has been officially renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, reflecting the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the agency.
The U.S. Institute of Peace has undergone a significant rebranding, now officially known as the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. This change marks a pivotal moment in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the congressionally established agency.
The name change follows a tumultuous year for the institute, which the Trump administration has targeted for closure while transferring its responsibilities to the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency has been embroiled in legal battles over the administration’s plans, with layoffs proceeding after an appeals court stayed a lower-court ruling that had temporarily blocked the shutdown.
On Wednesday morning, the agency’s website briefly went offline before returning with promotional material for an upcoming peace agreement ceremony between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This event is part of the administration’s broader narrative of achieving peace through diplomatic efforts.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the renaming, stating that the former institute was “a bloated, useless entity that blew $50 million per year while delivering no peace.” She emphasized that the newly named Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace serves as a testament to what she described as Trump’s successful leadership in global affairs.
“Now, the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, which is both beautifully and aptly named after a President who ended eight wars in less than a year, will stand as a powerful reminder of what strong leadership can accomplish for global stability,” Kelly remarked. She framed the renaming as a recognition of Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, concluding with a celebratory “Congratulations, world!”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Kelly’s sentiments in a post responding to the announcement. He stated, “President Trump will be remembered by history as the President of Peace. It’s time our State Department display that.” This statement underscores the administration’s intention to reshape the narrative surrounding Trump’s foreign policy legacy.
The U.S. Institute of Peace was established by Congress in 1984 as a nonpartisan organization dedicated to supporting conflict prevention and peace-building efforts globally. The rebranding and dismantling of the agency represent one of the most extensive overhauls of a federal agency during Trump’s second term.
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the administration’s efforts to shut down the institute were unlawful. However, this ruling was stayed on appeal, allowing the administration to proceed with layoffs and restructuring as it continued to transfer functions to other entities.
The institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the rebranding or the status of its ongoing legal challenges. Similarly, the State Department has yet to provide a response to inquiries about the implications of the name change.
The renaming of the U.S. Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace is a clear indication of the administration’s commitment to reshaping federal agencies in line with its political agenda, while also attempting to solidify Trump’s legacy as a peacemaker.
Source: Original article