Staff at the U.S. Peace Institute reportedly became effective immediately Friday, telling CBS News five sources familiar with the situation.
It was not immediately clear whether termination would affect the organization as a whole, but sources said termination would affect the majority of nonprofits, including multiple divisions of the organisation of Congress-funded funds.
The Trump administration tried to freeze research institute funds, burn guts and exchange boards. President Trump signed an executive order in February with the aim of dismantling USIP.
USIP has around 300 employees and a budget of around $55 million. The Institute’s mission is to promote conflict resolution and the prevention of conflicts around the world.
Affected employees were notified via email from their USIP email address that they had terminated.
“Dear (employee), this letter is to inform you of changes in employment with the U.S. Institute of Peace (Sic),” which is sent to one terminated employee and reads a copy of the email obtained by CBS News. “It will come into effect on March 28, 2025 and we will conclude employment with us.”
Earlier this month, federal judges I denied permission Temporary restraint order to halt USIP acquisition by the Department of Government Efficiency after DOGE staff accessed USIP building in Washington, DC
US District Judge Beryl Howell criticized how the Doge team handled the situation, but said he would not give a temporary restraining order to stop Doge. USIP asked the judge to “stop Doge from completing the illegal demolition of the lab.”
The ending was “musical and deeply troublesome in the darkness of the night,” George M. Foot, external to USIP’s external advisor, said in a statement Saturday.
“The lab employees are very devoted to important tasks and are not worthy of such rudeness,” Foot said. “This lawsuit only adds urgency to complaints filed to halt and reverse the administration’s illegal attempts to dismantle the institute. We will continue to push this issue in courts that we are confident we will win.”
The end of the USIP came on the same day as the Trump administration Measures have been taken Officially close the US International Development Agency, or USAID.
The USIP was created by Congress in 1984 during the administration of former President Ronald Reagan. Reagan has signed a law that officially establishes the institute as an “independent nonprofit organization.”
In a statement to CBS News Saturday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said, “Taxpayers don’t want to spend $50 million a year on publicly funded ‘laborated ‘laborations’ that have failed to bring peace.’
Sally Holland contributed to this report.
