US Institute of Peace employees mass-fired via late-night emails | World News

Hundreds of employees at the US Institute of Peace (USIP), a government-funded thinktank focused on preventing global conflicts, were dismissed via late-night emails on Friday. This comes after the organisation was taken over Elon Musk’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) as part of the Trump adminration’s efforts to cut government spending.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that staff members lost access to the institute’s systems before being informed of their dismissal through emails sent to their personal accounts. According to sources who spoke anonymously due to fear of repercussions, the messages started arriving around 9pm.
A former senior official told AP that only a few employees, mainly from human resources and some overseas staff, were spared for now. Those working abroad have been given until 9 April to return to the United States. The institute employs around 300 people.
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Regional vice-presidents were also kept on temporarily to oversee the return of staff, one affected employee told AP.

Last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting USIP and three other agencies for closure. The thinktank’s board members—who are appointed the president and confirmed the Senate—were removed, along with its president. Tensions escalated when employees attempted to block DOGE representatives from entering the premises, but Washington police helped them gain access.
Legal action followed, but US Drict Judge Beryl Howell did not reinstate the board or allow staff to return to work, though she did criticise the conduct of Doge officials.
A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, defending the move, told AP that the institute had “failed to deliver peace” and that Trump was fulfilling his goal of cutting unnecessary spending.Story continues below this ad
One employee shared part of the termination email, which stated that as of Friday, “your employment with us will conclude.” Another email confirmed that the dismissals were ordered the president. Staff were given until 7 April to collect their belongings.
Mary Glantz, a former foreign service officer and senior adviser at the institute, said she was not shocked the sudden firings. “This is part of Doge’s playbook,” she told AP.

Glantz, who researched Russian involvement in conflicts and ways to resolve them, said the institute had a unique role in conflict resolution. “We are the other tool in the toolbox,” she explained. “We do this work so American soldiers don’t have to fight these wars.”
George Foote, a former USIP lawyer who was dismissed earlier this month, said legal teams were meeting on Saturday to discuss the next steps. Since employees were not included in the ongoing lawsuit, they would need to file separate cases if they wished to challenge their dismissals.
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