MPD should not assist with illegal raids

On March 17, 2025, DOGE agents gained entry to the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). DOGE fired the organization’s president and staff, and began attempting to transfer ownership of the massive building to Trump’s General Services Administration. DC Metropolitan Police Department officers assisted DOGE that day.

After the incident, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto characterized it as a regular “call for service,” and referred to DOGE as “the new leadership.” On May 19 however, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell ruled that DOGE’s actions at USIP were unlawful and "represented a gross usurpation of power.”

Councilmember Pinto, we want an apology. Calling hostile takeover agents “the new leadership” legitimizes illegal behavior and actively endangers DC communities. This cannot be your approach to leadership from here forward.

We also want a hearing. MPD officers should not be assisting with illegal raids of any kind. DC residents deserve to know how this happened, and how it will be prevented moving forward.

Tell Councilmember Pinto to call a hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety on we will make sure MPD doesn’t assist with unlawful raids in the future: