The United States Institute of Peace (USIP), a think tank funded by the government, has terminated nearly all of its U.S.-based staff and plans to dismiss its remaining international staff. This decision intensifies an ongoing legal conflict over President Trump’s claimed authority to dismantle organizations established and funded by Congress.
The layoffs occurred following a federal judge’s decision not to block the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) group’s takeover of USIP. Termination notices were sent to over 200 USIP staff members starting around 9 p.m. on a Friday, effective immediately. These employees spoke to NPR under anonymity, having received a confidential severance package contingent on waiving rights to legal action against the think tank.
Staff members were directed to schedule brief visits to the Washington, D.C. office to gather personal items. Meanwhile, numerous international employees and contractors were instructed to arrange their relocation to safe locations by April 9, after which they anticipate being dismissed.
Seven former USIP board members are pursuing legal action against Trump-appointed officials at the think tank’s newly formed board, accusing them of unlawful entry and forcible takeover.
George M. Foote, an external legal counsel for USIP supporting the dismissed board members, expressed strong opposition to the staff firings, describing them as unacceptable and vowed to combat the Trump Administration’s alleged illegal efforts to dismantle the Institute.
Further court hearings concerning the lawsuit are scheduled for April.
In February, President Trump ordered the USIP to wind down its activities as part of a broader initiative to significantly reduce the federal governmental structure. USIP management quickly prepared for a hostile shut down, learning from DOGE’s previous abrupt closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Preparations included safeguarding USIP’s data systems and implementing security measures around the office.
Some employees began downloading their work-related files, while others reported unusual technical glitches in their systems amidst attempts to prevent DOGE from accessing USIP’s servers. DOGE representatives managed to gain entry into the USIP premises with the assistance of a former security contractor and D.C. police.
Trump-appointed board member Ken Jackson was involved in corresponding with employees using internal email systems, further complicating the matter. The final termination notices were delivered to employees late at night via personal email and messaging services, as they had lost access to their work communications.
The core issue of the USIP conflict involves whether the think tank is subject to executive branch control. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell acknowledged uncertainty regarding the institute’s status within a recent lawsuit hearing. Established by an act of Congress in 1984, USIP operates as a private nonprofit entity with non-federal staff, funded by a $80 million endowment and primarily private contributions, including from Boeing. Legal protocols outline that the President can appoint or remove board members only with board majority consent or Senate committee approval.
USIP’s future remains uncertain amidst ongoing legal and political challenges, underscoring broader debates on executive authority and federal fund utilization.
Michele Kelemen contributed to the reporting.
