In a controversial move that has reignited debate in diplomatic and political circles, President Donald Trump’s name has been added to the exterior signboard of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C. The development comes just hours before he is expected to host the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on Thursday for the signing of a US-brokered peace agreement.
Signage change sparks debate over authority and intent
The decision to display Trump’s name prominently on the building has raised questions about whether the institute is being unofficially renamed. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly suggested on Wednesday that the change represented a formal renaming of the body.
“Now, the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, which is both beautifully and aptly named after a president who ended eight wars in less than a year, will stand as a powerful reminder of what strong leadership can accomplish for global stability,” she said in a statement.
Her remarks, however, immediately drew sharp criticism from foreign policy observers, who noted that the president’s claim of ending eight wars remains deeply disputed and largely unverified. Several global conflicts cited by the administration, including the Israel–Hamas confrontation, remain far from resolution.
USIP — established by the US Congress as a nonpartisan institution — did not issue any formal comment regarding the new signage or the White House statement.
Follows attempted federal takeover of the institute
The move comes months after the Trump administration sought to assume control of the USIP by removing senior staff and appointing political loyalists. The attempt was halted in July, when a federal judge ruled the intervention unlawful, describing it as a “gross usurpation of power.”
Since the ruling, the institute has been functioning under a temporary leadership structure, awaiting further guidance from Congress and the courts. The sudden appearance of the president’s name outside the building has heightened concerns that the administration may still be attempting to exert influence over the federally funded institution.
US-brokered deal aims to prevent wider regional conflict
President Trump is scheduled to host Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi for the signing of a peace agreement brokered earlier this year. The deal follows one of the most volatile periods in eastern DR Congo in years.
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group launched a rapid advance across the region this year, capturing the two largest cities in eastern Congo within weeks and triggering fears of a broader regional conflict. Intense diplomatic pressure by Washington contributed to a preliminary peace pact in June, which halted the rebel advance and opened pathways for negotiations.
Thursday’s formal signing is expected to reaffirm commitments to de-escalation, troop withdrawal and international monitoring. US officials say they hope the agreement will “support long-term regional stability,” though conflict analysts caution that armed tensions remain high and several rebel factions are still active.
Renaming controversy adds political heat ahead of peace signing
The juxtaposition of a potentially historic peace agreement with an equally contentious political gesture has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, former diplomats and advocacy groups.
Critics argue that associating the USIP — long regarded as a neutral, research-driven institution — with any sitting president undermines its credibility. They also warn of the precedent this could set for future administrations.
Supporters of the White House’s move, however, claim the naming is symbolic recognition of the president’s diplomatic efforts and assert that the peace deal underscores his foreign policy achievements.
For now, the institute continues to operate in an uncertain environment, while the peace signing scheduled for Thursday is set to draw global attention — both for its diplomatic significance and for the political storm swirling around it.