U.S. Institute of Peace Renamed for Trump Amid Efforts to Dismantle Agency

WASHINGTON, D.C. — December 4, 2025 — The U.S. Institute of Peace has been officially renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace as part of the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to dismantle the congressionally established agency, officials said. The renaming marks a significant step in the administration’s plan to shut down the organization and transfer its functions to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The U.S. Institute of Peace, created by Congress in 1984 as a nonpartisan entity focused on conflict prevention and peace-building abroad, has faced a turbulent year amid the administration’s push to end its operations. The agency has challenged the shutdown in federal court, but layoffs have continued following an appeals court’s stay of a lower court ruling that temporarily blocked the administration’s plan.

The institute’s website briefly went offline on Wednesday morning before returning with promotion for an upcoming peace agreement ceremony involving the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The building’s exterior in Washington, D.C., now displays the new name, Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the renaming, describing the former institute as “a bloated, useless entity that blew $50 million per year while delivering no peace.” Kelly said the new name honors a president who “ended eight wars in less than a year,” framing the change as recognition of Trump’s “peace through strength” approach. “Now, the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace… will stand as a powerful reminder of what strong leadership can accomplish for global stability,” she added.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also praised the renaming, stating in a post that “President Trump will be remembered by history as the President of Peace” and that it was time for the State Department to reflect that legacy.

Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the administration’s attempt to shut down the institute was unlawful, but that ruling was stayed pending appeal. The renaming and restructuring represent one of the most extensive agency overhauls of Trump’s second term, as the administration continues to move forward with its plans despite legal challenges.

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Alison Grant

Alison Grant writes about jobs, inflation, corporate power and household finances. She focuses on how economic trends show up in paychecks, bills and everyday decisions for workers, families and small business owners.

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