Trump admin lays off most of Institute of Peace in latest federal purge

SUMMARY

The Trump administration executed a significant purge of the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), with termination notices emailed to most of its approximately 300 employees late Friday evening, as reported by the Associated Press. Only senior officials and overseas staff remain, following a contentious takeover by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). George M. Foote, USIP’s outside counsel, condemned the “unconscionable” dismissals, arguing they jeopardize global staff safety and urging reversal via ongoing litigation. Earlier in March, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell declined to block DOGE’s actions, despite criticizing their treatment of employees as “offensive,” citing insufficient grounds for a temporary restraining order. The administration replaced USIP’s leadership, including President George E. Moose, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asserting former employees lack standing to sue.