Sources say staff at the U.S. Institute of Peace are receiving termination notices.

The US Institute of Peace terminated a significant number of staff members on Friday, impacting the majority of employees in various departments. The Trump administration has been seeking to freeze funding and dismantle the organization. The terminated employees were notified by email, sparking outrage and criticism. A federal judge recently declined to grant a restraining order to stop the Department of Government Efficiency’s takeover of USIP. The institute’s outside general counsel condemned the terminations as “unconscionable” and vowed to continue fighting the administration’s actions in court. The White House defended the terminations, citing a desire to eliminate wasteful spending and prioritize peace initiatives that deliver results. This move by the Trump administration comes as part of broader efforts to streamline government agencies and cut costs. The termination of USIP employees follows similar actions taken against the US Agency for International Development. Created by Congress in 1984, USIP has a mission to promote conflict resolution and prevent conflicts worldwide. The sudden terminations have sparked concerns about the fate of the organization and its work in promoting peace globally.