By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-nobody-occupied-u-s-institute-of-peace-he-had-nothing-to-do-with-renaming-the-building-after-him Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says 'nobody occupied' U.S. Institute of Peace, he 'had nothing to do' with renaming the building after him Politics Feb 19, 2026 12:59 PM EDT President Donald Trump said Thursday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the driving force behind renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace the "Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace," in a move still being contested in courts. Watch the clip in the video player above. "Marco named it after me," Trump said at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace at the former USIP building. Trump said it was a surprise. Rubio is not known to have played a significant role in the renaming, although the State Department is the current custodian. READ MORE: Trump added his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace building while fighting the organization in court The USIP was created as an independent entity by Congress in 1984, a status Trump sought to revoke last year when the building was seized from its leadership and nearly all of its employees fired. The changes remain subject to litigation. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the driving force behind renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace the "Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace," in a move still being contested in courts. Watch the clip in the video player above. "Marco named it after me," Trump said at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace at the former USIP building. Trump said it was a surprise. Rubio is not known to have played a significant role in the renaming, although the State Department is the current custodian. READ MORE: Trump added his name to the U.S. Institute of Peace building while fighting the organization in court The USIP was created as an independent entity by Congress in 1984, a status Trump sought to revoke last year when the building was seized from its leadership and nearly all of its employees fired. The changes remain subject to litigation. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now