Employees at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) experienced significant job losses for the second time following a federal court ruling. Multiple former employees reported that the firings were executed by personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on July 11, 2023. The action comes after a federal judge ruled in May that the previous removals of USIP employees were unlawful, thus questioning the authority of DOGE.
Liz Callihan, a former senior adviser for strategic engagement at USIP, expressed her dismay, stating that the actions reflect a “cruel indifference” toward the dedicated workforce. She noted that only a few employees remain to manage essential close-out activities at the institute, which is known for its work in conflict resolution worldwide. Callihan stated, “Beyond the harm to these committed professionals, such reckless actions will immediately end the important training, education, facilitation, and research work that USIP does around the world.”
The recent firings align with a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape federal operations. While the administration has been noted for its attempts to dismantle key federal functions, there have been instances where it reversed course, reinstating some employees in critical roles.
Callihan, who had been with USIP since 2012, described the emotional toll of these firings as “devastating.” She was part of the “landing team” that returned to rebuild operations after an earlier wave of layoffs. Employees started receiving termination notices on the afternoon of July 11, with others who had been furloughed receiving theirs later that evening.
The firings are not isolated events. On March 28, 2023, USIP employees were initially notified of their termination. This was preceded by a federal court ruling that deemed the Trump administration’s removal of the USIP board unlawful. The court’s decision led to a temporary suspension of DOGE’s authority, which was later overturned by a federal appeals court.
Hodei Sultan, another employee affected by the recent layoffs and a member of the landing team since 2009, described the impact as “really horrific.” She remarked on the timing of the firings, recalling how the administration tends to execute such actions late at night. “We joked about it, but ‘Friday night massacre 1.0’ and last night was ‘Friday massacre 2.0.’ So the intention is very much mental torture and emotional anguish,” Sultan said.
Callihan further emphasized that DOGE’s control over USIP has led to a continuation of employee mistreatment, undermining an institution established by Congress to promote peacebuilding efforts globally. USIP, founded in 1984, operates as a nonpartisan, independent body aimed at resolving violent conflicts and fostering post-conflict stability.
The Trump administration has recently seen judicial support for its reorganization efforts. A Supreme Court decision earlier in July upheld the President’s authority to carry out mass firings and reorganizations within federal agencies without requiring Congress’s approval. This ruling has facilitated the latest wave of firings, including those at the State Department, where over 1,300 positions were eliminated on the same day as the USIP terminations.
The State Department firings included 1,107 civil service employees and 246 foreign service officers who worked on critical issues such as countering violent extremism and supporting Afghan refugees following the Taliban takeover. Sultan noted that the ongoing reshaping of the federal government is damaging the United States’ credibility on the global stage. “We’re completely self-isolating from the world and pulling away on this vital foreign assistance,” she stated.
As the situation develops, the impact of these mass firings on both the affected employees and the broader mission of USIP remains a pressing concern. The institute’s ability to fulfill its mandate in peacebuilding and conflict resolution is now uncertain, raising questions about the future of its important work.