We, and many of our co-workers, have been to, worked with or supported the U.S. Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan, independent organization dedicated to protecting American interests by helping to prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad.

USIP was created by Congress in 1984. It trains peace negotiators and diplomats, works in conflict areas to end violence and deploys specialists to work in the field.

Housed in a beautiful white edifice on the Capital mall, USIP is a nonprofit organization, not a governmental agency. USIP arose out of legislation to create a Department of Peace, an initiative beginning with our Founding Fathers 250 years ago. The Peace Alliance, a national advocacy organization, has been responsible for introducing a bill in Congress to create a U.S. Department of Peacebuilding over the last 20 years.

There is clear evidence that peacebuilding efforts have prevented countless violent confrontations and contributed to the stability of communities and nations through fostering dialogue, promoting reconciliation and addressing the root causes of disputes. These peacebuilding efforts created much-needed pathways for sustainable peace, including the work of many UN agencies dedicated to building peace.

We are thus outraged that leadership for the Department of Government Efficiency has seen fit to essentially close the independent nonprofit (which was congressionally chartered and not under the umbrella of the Executive Branch). This is a clear overreach of executive power. Friday, the White House sent an email to the institute’s board members telling them they had been terminated. DOGE attempted to enter the building that day.

In news articles, acting USIP President George Moose is quoted saying, “We had not expected that the FBI would succeed in enlisting the support and collaboration of the District of Columbia police, with whom we have had a great relationship. … Somehow, FBI has managed to convince the DC police that this is a building that is owned by the U.S. government and not by the U.S. Institute of Peace.”

After a standoff, apparent representatives of Elon Musk, President Donald Trump “special assistant” in charge of DOGE, returned Monday afternoon in a black SUV with government plates and were escorted by what appeared to be private security, who arrived in separate vehicles and were dressed in street clothing.

Their entry was prevented at that time until the FBI and DC police arrived and gained access through a threat to their private security company. Now, USIP is suing Trump, DOGE and others.

As of now, the USIP website has been taken down. We feel now is the time to take action. The good news is that, Marin County has several organizations that work to foster peacebuilding in Marin:

• Pathways to Peace focuses on creating a culture of peace through education, advocacy, and collaboration. It works with local groups and international agencies, including the United Nations, to promote sustainable peace efforts.

• The United Nations Association Marin Chapter engages Marin residents in supporting the principles and work of the UN through education, hosting events and advocacy campaigns to inspire and mobilize residents toward global and local peace initiatives.

• Community Action Marin, focusing primarily on anti-poverty efforts, contributes to peacebuilding by addressing socio-economic inequalities and fostering community connections.

• The Peace Alliance focuses on educating, advocating and mobilizing citizens to transform public policy toward a culture of peace.

At the very time that we have many intractable international conflicts, as well as new conflicts on the horizon, it is absurd to close the very agency with the skills and experience to deal with this trauma. As a global society, conflicts in one region affect many beyond their borders. We need to support the expertise we have nationally and locally, encouraging its expansion, not shutting it down.

We should all ponder the consequences, and each of us take action by calling the executive and your U.S. representatives.

Judy Kimmel, of Mill Valley, is a business consultant, educator, political activist and board emeritus chair of the Peace Alliance. Kimberly Weichel, of Tiburon, is an author, educator, peacebuilder, advisor and board member of the Marin United Nations Association.