Most US Institute of Peace workers get late-night word of their mass firing

Most employees at the US Institute of Peace, a congressionally created and funded think-tank now taken over by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), received email notices of their mass firing, the latest step in the Trump administration's government downsizing.

The emails, sent to personal accounts because most staff members had lost access to the organisation's system, began going out at about 9.00 pm on Friday, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

One former senior official at the institute said among those spared were several in the human resources department and a handful of overseas staffers who have until 9 April to return to the United States. The organisation employs about 300 people.

Others retained for now are regional vice-presidents who will be working with the staff in their areas to return to the US, according to one employee who was affected.

An executive order last month from President Donald Trump targeted the organisation, which seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, and three other agencies for closure. Board members, who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate, and the institute's president were fired. Later, there was a standoff between employees who blocked DOGE members from entering the institute's headquarters near the State Department. DOGE staff gained access in part with the help of Washington police.

A lawsuit ensued, and US district judge Beryl Howell chastised DOGE representatives for their behaviour but did not reinstate the board members or allow employees to return to the workspace.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in an email on Saturday that the institute “has failed to deliver peace” and that Trump “is carrying out his mandate to eliminate bloat and save taxpayer dollars”.

The letter to employees said as of Friday, "your employment with us will conclude”, according to one longtime employee who shared part of the communication. A second email, obtained by the Associated Press, said the terminations were at the direction of the President. Workers were given until 7 April to clear out their desks.

Mary Glantz, a former foreign service officer who was working as a senior adviser at USIP, said she was not surprised by the late-night firings, calling it part of DOGE's playbook.

Glantz has studied how Russia has fomented conflicts around the world and analysed options for resolving them. She hoped her research could be continued and used elsewhere. She said USIP plays a unique role because of its narrow focus on conflict resolution.

“We are the other tool in the tool box," she said. ”We do this work, so American soldiers don't have to fight these wars.”

George Foote, a former institute lawyer fired this month who is with one of the firms providing counsel in the current lawsuit, said lawyers were consulting on Saturday to discuss possible next steps. He said employees are not part of the pending lawsuit, so they would have to file a separate case.