Staff members at the U.S. Institute of Peace were notified of their immediate termination on Friday, according to three sources familiar with the incident, as reported by CBS News.
It remains unclear whether these layoffs encompass the entire organization; however, one source indicated that the majority of the nonprofit, including several departments at the congressionally funded institute, is affected.
The Trump administration has sought to halt its funding and restructure its board. In February, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the USIP.
With approximately 300 employees and a budget of around $55 million, USIP’s mission is to foster conflict resolution and prevent conflicts worldwide.
Personnel affected were informed of their termination via email from a USIP email address.
“Dear [Employee], this letter is to notify you of a change in your employment status with the United States Institute of Peace,” reads a copy of an email sent to one of the terminated employees and obtained by CBS News. “Effective March 28, 2025, your employment with us will conclude.”
Earlier this month, a federal judge declined to grant a temporary restraining order to halt the Department of Government Efficiency’s takeover of the USIP, following DOGE staffers gaining access to the USIP’s building in Washington, D.C.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell criticized the DOGE team’s handling of the situation but opted not to issue a temporary restraining order against them. The USIP had requested the judge to halt DOGE from “completing the unlawful dismantling of the institute.”
The layoffs at USIP coincided with the Trump administration’s move to formally shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID.
Established by Congress in 1984 during former President Ronald Reagan’s administration, USIP was signed into law as “an independent, nonprofit corporation.”
The White House has yet to respond to a request for comment as of Saturday.
Sally Holland contributed to this report.
