DOGE Snags $500M D.C. Building for Free in Wild Power Move
DOGE Takes Over $500 Million D.C. Building in Shocking Power Shift
In a surreal twist of political drama and administrative shuffle, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has officially taken control of a $500 million federal building in Washington, D.C.—and they’re not paying a cent for it.
Thanks to a federal ruling by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, DOGE is now in possession of the former headquarters of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The building, an architectural landmark nestled near the National Mall, has long been a symbol of diplomacy and peacebuilding efforts. Now, it’s the flashy new headquarters of one of the Trump administration’s boldest bureaucratic shakeups.
How Did DOGE Get It for Free?
The story reads like a political thriller. After President Trump fired all 10 voting board members of the USIP on March 14, the institute's remaining staff tried to block DOGE from moving in. Undeterred, the DOGE team returned days later—armed with a physical key allegedly provided by a former security contractor.
DOGE Deputy Director Russell Vought and Director John Cavanaugh then moved to transfer the building to the General Services Administration (GSA) at no cost, effectively bypassing any federal bidding or compensation process.
While former USIP staffers sued to stop the move, claiming an abuse of power, the court sided with the administration—greenlighting the transfer and leaving critics stunned.
Related: Elon Musk's Departure from DOGE: Unpacking the Implications
Related: Elon Musk’s DOGE Team: Overworked, Underrested, and Burning Out
What Was the Building Used For?
Before becoming the latest conquest in the Trump-Musk political merger, the building housed the United States Institute of Peace—a nonpartisan organization founded by Congress in 1984 to promote conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and international diplomacy. Its mission was academic, diplomatic, and educational, with global outreach and bipartisan support.
Now, it appears the halls once used for peacemaking conferences may be filled with DOGE whiteboards, efficiency charts, and perhaps a few X-branded coffee machines.
What’s Next?
DOGE’s rise—and its striking real estate windfall—marks yet another bold move by the Trump administration to consolidate and reshape federal agencies. Whether the takeover signals a new era of streamlined government or a cautionary tale of administrative overreach remains to be seen.
One thing’s clear: in 2025, bureaucracy has never looked so dramatic.
