The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiated a physical takeover of the USIP headquarters in Washington, D.C., in March 2025, with the participation of USIP’s former contract security vendor, Inter-Con Security.
20 February 2025
Chris Young, a DOGE representative, contacts USIP, which agrees to a virtual meeting on 24 February.
24 February 2025
USIP President and CEO Ambassador George Moose and outside legal counsel George Foote meet virtually with DOGE representatives Nate Cavanaugh, James Burnham, and Jacob Altik to explain that USIP is an independent nonprofit corporation outside of the executive branch….
8 March 2025
Moose learns that DOGE is inquiring about the status of USIP’s security operations, a tactic the department has used previously to gain entrance to other buildings in Washington, D.C.
16 March 2025
Two FBI agents visit a senior USIP security manager, who is on medical leave, at his home to find out how to gain physical access to USIP headquarters.
Foote becomes aware of the visit and contacts the FBI agents, requesting that all inquiries about USIP be directed to him.
The FBI contacts USIP Chief Security Officer Colin O’Brien to discuss USIP’s security procedures. An FBI agent allegedly threatens O’Brien, saying he is the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice into the denied entry incident that occurred on 14 March.
U.S. Attorney Jonathan Hornok, District of Columbia Criminal Division chief, calls Foote to request access to USIP headquarters and says there is suspicion that USIP is engaging in criminal behavior.
Hornok calls Foote again, requesting that representatives for USIP board members [Marco] Rubio and [Pete] Hegseth be able to inspect records and books. Foote says he will facilitate access upon a written request. Hornok says the representatives will be at USIP headquarters the next day and will expect access, adding that he will criminally investigate anyone who obstructs their access.
USIP suspends Inter-Con Security’s contract. O’Brien deactivates Inter-Con staff members’ badges and retrieves all physical keys except one master key held by Inter-Con account manager Kevin Simpson.
At about 2:30 p.m., four Inter-Con Security employees arrive at USIP headquarters. They unsuccessfully attempt to enter the building using their deactivated badges.
Simpson then uses the physical key to USIP still in his possession to unlock an exterior door to the building and admit the other Inter-Con employees.
Add new comment