A federal judge ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), dismissing a legal challenge to its acquisition of government property without premium costs.
The case involved DOGE taking over the U.S. Institute of Peace’s (USIP) $500 million headquarters, a move made official by the Trump administration.
Judge Beryl Howell deemed the property transfer complete, making the lawsuit moot. The conflict escalated after Trump removed all USIP directors, leading to staff blocking DOGE auditors from entering.
DOGE later returned with a key and support from the Office of Management and Budget. A court filing confirmed the transfer was at “no cost.”
DOGE employee Nate Cavanaugh, named in the lawsuit, was defended by federal officials. Howell declined to halt the transfer despite concerns over USIP’s $20 million endowment.
