UJ
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On Friday evening, employees at the United States Institute of Peace were notified of their terminations, as the Trump administration seeks to redefine America’s global role while making significant cuts to essential government sectors via the Department of Government Efficiency.
A significant portion of the non-profit’s workforce received termination letters on Friday, according to a former employee who wished to remain anonymous to protect their severance.
“Each employee received a personal notice indicating their termination was effective March 28 and that healthcare coverage would conclude on March 31,” this source stated, emphasizing that employees would be compensated for work completed through Friday, alongside any accrued vacation pay.
Founded during the Reagan administration, the institute’s mission is to “promote research, policy analysis, education, and training on international peace and conflict resolution in efforts to prevent and resolve violent conflicts and foster post-conflict stability,” according to usa.gov. The official website of the institute has been taken down.
In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the Institute of Peace, aiming to “significantly reduce the size of the Federal Government while increasing accountability to the American people.”
George Foote, previously legal counsel at the US Institute of Peace until his removal by DOGE, is currently pursuing legal action to persuade a judge that the government’s attempts to terminate high-ranking officials at the organization are unlawful.
The lawsuit was initiated in the DC District Court after DOGE staff, with the assistance of DC police, accessed the USIP building earlier this month following an initial denial of entry.
Foote mentioned to UJ during a phone conversation on Saturday that all court documents related to the case are set to be submitted by April 25. Following that, the judge may either rule on the matter or schedule a hearing for the week of April 28.
The employee noted that while the mass dismissal was not entirely surprising, it was still disheartening.
“It’s undeniably disappointing and somewhat contradictory for a president aiming for the Nobel Peace Prize. We extended every possible olive branch to the president and his team, indicating our willingness to collaborate with this administration just as we did with previous ones – including his first term,” the source remarked.
Trump has articulated his desire to be remembered as a “peacemaker.”
“My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That is how I want to be remembered: as a peacemaker and unifier,” he stated in his inaugural speech.
In contrast to the administration’s strategy to cut funding for various agencies, such as the US Agency for International Development, the US Institute of Peace operates independently as a non-profit organization, receiving its $55 million annual budget from Congress, which means its employees do not benefit from the protections given to federal staff. According to Foote, between 50 to 75 of its employees were stationed overseas as of Friday.
“While peace is a continuous endeavor, a $55 million yearly investment won’t single-handedly bring peace globally, but they achieve a remarkable amount with that funding,” Foote elaborated.
He added that the organization possesses a nearly $80 million endowment. Questions remain about the fate of this funding and the institute’s headquarters located in Washington’s Foggy Bottom area, often used for large events and weddings.
In response to inquiries, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told UJ, “Taxpayers don’t wish to allocate $50 million annually to a publicly-funded ‘research institute’ that has not succeeded in achieving peace. President Trump has put an end to the era of endless wars and established peace during his first term, and he is fulfilling his promise to cut the fat and save taxpayer money.”
Foote emphasized the institute’s contributions, such as advising the National Security Council on policy matters and assisting a group of senior military advisors in discussing peace-building strategies to avert wars. He also highlighted the institute’s research into conflict minerals in Africa, efforts to stem Chinese influence over these critical resources, studies of human trafficking in Cambodia, and its peace-building initiatives in Papua New Guinea, among other projects.
Foote mentioned that five carved doves are displayed in the foyer of USIP headquarters, each dedicated to a staff member who lost their life in a conflict zone.
“Ginny Bouvier is one of those honorees. Ginny was in the jungles of Colombia – she contracted a disease there. Sadly, she passed away after being flown home to Georgetown Hospital,” he recounted.
Foote elaborated, “This illustrates the type of work that the staff at USIP undertake. They are not faceless bureaucrats. They are not merely individuals surviving off taxpayer funds.
They represent valuable contributions, bringing peace to the world, preventing the need for military interventions by the United States, and enhancing safety for American military personnel, corporations, and citizens.”
UJ’s Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.
