In brief
The Wilson Center, a key player in U.S. foreign policy, faces significant downsizing following President Trump's directive, as a majority of its staff are put on leave.
April 3, 2025, 8:32 p.m. ET — In a surprising turn of events, approximately 130 employees at the Wilson Center, a well-regarded nonpartisan foreign policy think tank in Washington, D.C., have been ordered to take leave following an executive order from President Trump. The drastic shakeup comes just days after a team associated with Elon Musk entered the center.An internal email obtained by sources indicates that nearly all staff members have been blocked from accessing work accounts and instructed not to report back to the office after the current workday. While employees are reportedly set to receive their pay during this transition, many are anticipating termination similar to prior actions taken at other organizations by Musk's team.Remaining in roles under the center's congressional charter are a select few, including the center’s president, two federal staffers, and two research fellows. A person familiar with the Wilson Center remarked that private donations would be returned to donors, although the future of its endowment remains uncertain.On the day of the announcement, several employees were seen packing their belongings—papers, plants, and personal items—into boxes at the Ronald Reagan Building, where the center is located among various government offices. With these developments, it's clear the Wilson Center is undergoing a fundamental transformation influenced by a new directive from the highest levels of government.
