In brief
The Wilson Center faces a major operational cutback as 130 employees are placed on leave following an executive order from President Trump, with ramifications for the center's funding and future.
On April 3, 2025, a substantial workforce change unfolded at the Wilson Center, a respected think tank in Washington D.C., as President Trump instituted an executive order that led to the near-total shutdown of the institution. Approximately 130 employees were abruptly informed they would be placed on paid leave after the workday, receiving notifications to avoid returning to their positions, according to sources familiar with the situation.The directive came just days after workers affiliated with Elon Musk were observed engaging with the center, raising questions about the broader implications of this takeover. Now, only five key personnel will remain at the center, including a president, two federal staff members, and two research fellows—a staffing level dictated by the center's congressional charter.Amid these drastic cuts, private donations to the think tank will reportedly be returned to donors, although the fate of the center's endowment remains uncertain. The layoffs were visually marked by a scene on Thursday afternoon where many employees were seen vacating the premises, carrying personal items like papers and plants, a poignant reminder of the rapid changes taking place.This restructuring at the Wilson Center aligns with a broader trend observed in other institutions undergoing similar dissolutions initiated by Musk's team, suggesting a shift in the operational and funding paradigms of nonpartisan think tanks and their government's affiliations.
