A federal appeals court panel on Friday stayed a lower court ruling that blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with dismantling the U.S. Institute of Peace , an organization taken over in March by the Department of Government Efficiency, then led by Elon Musk.
The three-judge panel with the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia Circuit issued the stay, saying the Trump administration's appeal of U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell's opinion would likely succeed on the merits. The stay added that the president would face "irreparable harm from not being able to fully exercise his executive powers."
In filings with the higher court supporting its request for an appeal and a stay of Howell's order, the government argued that "as evidenced by its programmatic, grant making and peacebuilding activities, USIP" was exercising "considerable executive power." The filings also went on to explain the board members are 'subject to the president's at-will removal authority."
In issuing the stay, the appeals court agreed and said the nonprofit think tank that focuses on peace initiatives is engaged in activities that fall under the purview of the executive branch.
"Today's decision is a great victory for the American taxpayer. As we have said time and again, the President has the right to manage entities within the Executive Branch - including the so-called 'Institute of Peace,' which cost taxpayers over 50 million per year while failing to deliver peace," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly. "The President looks forward to continuing to implement his government efficiency agenda."