Trump administration dismisses majority of US Institute of Peace employees
Reports indicate that up to 300 employees at the headquarters of the Congress-funded think tank have been terminated. The Trump administration has dismissed nearly all personnel at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters as part of its...
TroibNews 
Reports indicate that up to 300 employees at the headquarters of the Congress-funded think tank have been terminated.
The Trump administration has dismissed nearly all personnel at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters as part of its initiative to downsize government, a campaign spearheaded by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Several news sources reported this development on Saturday, which was later validated by the White House.
Established by Congress in the mid-1980s, USIP aims to promote global conflict resolution. Last month, Trump signed an executive order aimed at the institute, leading to the dismissal of most of its board members in mid-March.
According to various media accounts, between 200 and 300 employees at USIP's Washington headquarters received termination notices from the Department of Government Efficiency late Friday.
The Washington Post mentioned that the affected employees labeled the abrupt dismissals “the Friday night massacre.”
Some staff members, who requested anonymity while speaking to the press, stated they were offered severance packages and an additional month of health insurance in exchange for waiving their rights to sue over their firings. Those who declined were reportedly informed they would lose all benefits by Monday.
The reported layoffs do not impact USIP’s 600 overseas employees, who are expected to retain their positions for the time being.
Earlier this month, USIP board members initiated a lawsuit against DOGE, Trump, and his administration, asserting that the executive branch lacks the authority to terminate the agency's employees due to its establishment by Congress. Court hearings for the case are slated for late April.
In response to CNN's inquiry about the firings at USIP, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly remarked, “taxpayers do not want to spend $50 million per year on a publicly-funded ‘research institute’ that has failed to deliver peace.”
She further noted, “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.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
The Trump administration has dismissed nearly all personnel at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) headquarters as part of its initiative to downsize government, a campaign spearheaded by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.
Several news sources reported this development on Saturday, which was later validated by the White House.
Established by Congress in the mid-1980s, USIP aims to promote global conflict resolution. Last month, Trump signed an executive order aimed at the institute, leading to the dismissal of most of its board members in mid-March.
According to various media accounts, between 200 and 300 employees at USIP's Washington headquarters received termination notices from the Department of Government Efficiency late Friday.
The Washington Post mentioned that the affected employees labeled the abrupt dismissals “the Friday night massacre.”
Some staff members, who requested anonymity while speaking to the press, stated they were offered severance packages and an additional month of health insurance in exchange for waiving their rights to sue over their firings. Those who declined were reportedly informed they would lose all benefits by Monday.
The reported layoffs do not impact USIP’s 600 overseas employees, who are expected to retain their positions for the time being.
Earlier this month, USIP board members initiated a lawsuit against DOGE, Trump, and his administration, asserting that the executive branch lacks the authority to terminate the agency's employees due to its establishment by Congress. Court hearings for the case are slated for late April.
In response to CNN's inquiry about the firings at USIP, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly remarked, “taxpayers do not want to spend $50 million per year on a publicly-funded ‘research institute’ that has failed to deliver peace.”
She further noted, “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.”
Jessica Kline for TROIB News
