In brief
Following President Trump's executive order, the Wilson Center is left with only five employees after a majority of its workforce is temporarily sidelined, marking a drastic reduction in its operations and influence in policy discussions.
In a dramatic reshaping of U.S. foreign policy infrastructure, the Wilson Center, a respected nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C., is undergoing severe cuts following President Trump's recent executive order. On Thursday, about 130 employees were put on temporary leave, effectively sidelining them from their roles as Elon Musk's task force begins to disassemble the organization’s structure.Details from internal communications reveal that by the end of the day, employees were instructed not to return to their workstations and were blocked from accessing their emails. Despite being placed on leave, many employees are expected to face termination in line with prior dismantlings executed by Musk's team in other institutions.Currently, the center will retain only five employees, including one president, two federal staffers, and two researchers whose positions are essential per the congressional charter governing the center. The drastic move is expected to alter the landscape of foreign policy dialogue significantly, as the think tank has historically provided nonpartisan insights into complex international issues.In a fitting conclusion to an unsettling day, many employees were seen leaving the center’s offices carrying their personal belongings, including research documents and personal items. Meanwhile, it has been disclosed that private donations made to the center will be returned, though the fate of its endowment remains uncertain. As the dust settles, the future of the Wilson Center and its influential role in policy discussions hangs in the balance amidst these unprecedented changes.
