Nearly 300 employees of a federally funded peace institute received unexpected termination notices from the Trump administration.
According to LifeZette, the mass firings at the U.S. Institute of Peace headquarters in Washington, D.C. occurred on Friday, with staff members being informed via email about the immediate conclusion of their employment.
The sweeping move came after President Trump's executive order from February 19 aimed at restructuring the organization. Affected employees were offered severance packages and one month of health insurance coverage, conditional upon waiving their right to pursue legal action against the institute.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly emphasized the administration's commitment to eliminating wasteful government spending. She pointed out that taxpayers were spending $50 million annually on an institute that, according to the administration, failed to deliver on its peace-promoting mission.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under Elon Musk's leadership, played a central role in implementing these changes. The department had previously sought to oversee the institute's operations, leading to legal challenges from former board members who were dismissed by President Trump.
A recent court decision denied the former board members' request for a restraining order against DOGE, paving the way for the administration's restructuring plans.
The U.S. Institute of Peace, established by Congress in 1984, has operated as a nonprofit organization focused on promoting conflict resolution and peacebuilding worldwide.
Employees described the mass termination as a "Friday night massacre" in their comments to The Washington Post. The termination notice, delivered electronically, stated:
This letter is to inform you of a change in your employment status with United States Institute of Peace. Effective March 28, 2025, your employment with us will conclude.
The administration's stance on the institute's effectiveness was clearly articulated by White House Deputy Press Secretary Kelly:
Taxpayers don't want to spend $50 million per year on a publicly funded 'research institute' that has failed to deliver peace. President Trump ended the era of forever wars and established peace in his first term, and he is carrying out his mandate to eliminate bloat and save taxpayer dollars.
The restructuring of USIP aligns with the Trump administration's broader initiative to identify and address inefficiencies within federal agencies and government-funded organizations. This effort has been spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency under Musk's direction.
Critics have long questioned the institute's impact relative to its substantial federal funding. The administration's supporters argue that such dramatic measures are necessary to ensure more effective use of taxpayer resources.
The recent changes have sparked debates about the future of peace-building initiatives and government spending oversight. Many former employees have expressed concern about the abrupt nature of the terminations.
President Trump's mass dismissal of U.S. Institute of Peace staff marks a significant shift in the organization's 41-year history. The termination of between 200 and 300 employees at the Washington, D.C. headquarters represents part of the administration's broader effort to streamline government operations and reduce what it considers unnecessary spending. As the Department of Government Efficiency continues its oversight, the future direction of the institute's peace-building mission remains uncertain while the administration finalizes its restructuring plans.
