Chaos at the US Peace Institute

During a recent chat with Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck, Dr. Darren Beatty, acting president of the US Peace Institute (USIP), discussed a significant altercation that unfolded at the agency’s headquarters back in March. This incident came to light as government efficiency initiatives began to take shape.

Beatty, who also serves as a public diplomacy secretary at the State Department, shared his insights on the lengths to which some individuals went to cover up his truck, alongside details about the questionable activities the agency seems to be supporting in Afghanistan.

Founded by Congress in 1984, USIP is a taxpayer-funded think tank that operated on a budget of $55 million last year. A recent Heritage Foundation report raised concerns, indicating the organization lacks transparency and adequate financial accountability measures, suggesting that it’s become heavily partisan and has strayed from its foundational mission.

According to Beatty, USIP identifies itself as a significant player among non-governmental organizations and possesses a “chameleonal character,” which he claims is involved in shaping American foreign policy. He pointed to some troubling connections, particularly regarding potential fraudulent activities tied to American intelligence agencies.

This turmoil comes amidst President Trump’s efforts to streamline the federal bureaucracy. As part of these efforts, USIP was supposed to shed excess and improve efficiency earlier this year. In a controversial move, Trump’s administration, with input from George Moose, a key figure at USIP, dismissed a voting board member. It appears that much of the institute’s operations and staff were affected as control shifted following these changes.

What transpired next was somewhat dramatic. There was a reported attempt to enter USIP’s headquarters by the Trump team, but they were met with resistance from Moose and his staff, who barred their entry. Ultimately, on March 17th, they gained access with the assistance of law enforcement.

After allegations from Moose that “Doge has broken into our building,” the responding team accused Moose of being the one acting unlawfully, as he allegedly denied access to Kenneth Jackson, the acting president of USIP, who was approved by the committee.

Beatty described a tense scene during this acquisition process, mentioning that USIP staff barricaded themselves inside offices and reported the presence of loaded weapons. “It felt like there was a hostage situation developing,” he noted. The situation escalated further than what has been reported about similar government interventions.

Beatty expressed confusion regarding the placement of a former Taliban official on USIP’s payroll, describing it as a strange dichotomy in the agency’s stance toward Afghanistan.

Additionally, he pointed out that efforts were made to erase critical financial data by USIP staff, which allegedly demonstrates their activities and funding practices. After securing the headquarters, a former Trump advisor indicated that they had managed to retrieve important data previously deleted, which was thought to cover up discrepancies.

Further investigations revealed questionable contracts, including one for $132,000 with Mohammad Qasem Halimi, a former Taliban official who played a significant role in the extremist regime. Beatty questioned whether there are other former Taliban members also on the payroll at USIP.

He dismissed recent portrayals of Halimi as a victim, labeling them a “complete joke,” asserting that he likely had a history of creating enemies throughout his career.

Beatty went on to discuss the bizarre stance of USIP suggesting a need to revitalize the opium trade in Afghanistan, reflecting a troubling agenda concealed under the guise of peace efforts. He found it bewildering that the organization expressed concern over declining opium production under Taliban rule and sought methods to revive it with several reports calling this “scary.”

Overall, the intricate relationship between opium trade and Afghanistan’s governance seems to involve USIP more than previously understood. Beatty touched on the frustrations felt regarding this deep state intricacy, pointing to the need for substantial reform across various departments.