In brief
Around 130 employees of the Wilson Center were placed on leave as Trump’s executive orders reshape U.S. foreign policy analysis.
On April 3, 2025, the Wilson Center, a notable Washington foreign policy think tank, faced a dramatic overhaul as President Trump's administration moved to cut its workforce. Approximately 130 employees were put on leave, receiving notices that they would soon be laid off, following a swift action to gut the center led by a task force from tech mogul Elon Musk's team.Only five employees, including the president and a few federally mandated researchers, will remain after the center effectively closes down most of its operations. Those laid off will continue to receive pay during their leave but will be let go shortly as part of a broader trend seen in several organizations influenced by Musk's management style.Donations made to the center will reportedly be returned, and the fate of its endowment remains uncertain. As employees evacuated their offices carrying their belongings, it marked a significant shift in how the U.S. intends to approach foreign policy, aligning with the recent executive order signed by Trump in March.
