Trump Administration Fires Nearly All U.S. Institute of Peace Staff in Sweeping Restructuring

The mass firings, executed via late-night emails, mark the latest step in the administration's efforts to downsize government and eliminate congressionally funded organizations.

The Trump administration terminated nearly all staff at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) on March 28, 2025, with termination notices sent via email late Friday night.
The firings affected between 200 and 300 employees, with only a small number retained temporarily for administrative purposes and overseas program management.
The USIP's domestic operations have effectively ceased, while overseas programs remain active temporarily, likely to meet statutory requirements and ensure safety abroad.
Legal challenges against the administration’s actions are ongoing, but courts have so far declined to issue restraining orders to halt the dismantling of the USIP.
The Trump administration justified the closures as part of a broader effort to eliminate government inefficiency, though critics warn of significant impacts on global conflict resolution initiatives.