The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has been renamed in honor of US President Donald Trump.
Points of attention
- The renaming of the US Institute of Peace after Donald Trump amid scandal has sparked outrage among former employees and the public.
- The Trump administration's decision to close the institute specializing in conflict resolution and taking over its assets has led to multiple lawsuits and criticism.
- Former USIP management and employees express disappointment with the renaming, highlighting the ironic situation of giving Trump's name to an institution he had a hand in destroying.
US Institute of Peace renamed amid scandal
This was reported by the State Department on the social network X.
This morning, the State Department renamed the former Institute of Peace to reflect the greatest negotiator in our nation’s history. Welcome to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The best is yet to come,” the post read, accompanied by a photo of the facade with the new name.
As CNN notes, Trump's name appeared on a sign at the USIP headquarters in Washington ahead of the signing ceremony of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is scheduled to take place on December 4.
This morning, the State Department renamed the former Institute of Peace to reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation's history.
— Department of State (@StateDept) December 3, 2025
Welcome to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The best is yet to come. pic.twitter.com/v7DgkoZphn
The Trump administration has effectively closed the institute, which works on conflict resolution and was created by Congress in 1984. The administration's budget request for the next fiscal year called for the elimination of federal funding for USIP.
USIP is not a federal agency, it owns and operates its own headquarters. The Trump administration's takeover of the institute, including its building and assets, has been the subject of numerous lawsuits.
In March, DOGE officials attempted to force their way into the building, only to return with police. The USIP staff were fired in July. The institute sued over the decision, but the US government remains in control of the building while the court hears an appeal.
"Renaming the USIP building only makes the situation worse," said George Foote, a lawyer for former USIP management and employees.
A former USIP employee said of Trump: "It's quite ironic that he gave his name to the institution he himself destroyed."
At the same time, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly defended the decision, claiming that USIP "was once a bloated, worthless organization that spent $50 million a year without delivering peace."
