The Wilson Center, a non-partisan foreign policy think tank based in Washington DC, became the most recent target of U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash federal government agencies. Wilson Center President Mark Green has resigned, and almost all employees have been placed on administrative leave, according to a report published by The New York Times.

The gutting began earlier this week when members of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) visited the center and ousted most of senior leadership. Following Green’s exit, about 130 employees were told on Thursday not to return to their offices. Although they will continue to receive a paycheck, recent events at other federal agencies indicate that they will eventually be laid off.

A White House official told Reuters that Green has been replaced by Natasha Jacome, who was senior advisor to Green. Spokespeople for the Wilson Center and DOGE have yet to comment publicly on the matter at the time of writing. 

Established in 1968, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars was created as a tribute to former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921). According to its website, the center provides “non-partisan counsel and insights on global affairs to policymakers through deep research, impartial analysis, and independent scholarship.” 

The Wilson Center is a federally chartered institution, meaning that it has been created by Congress and is protected under legislative authority. And while the executive branch cannot outright shut it down, it can exert pressure by attempting to restructure it or reduce funding. According to the outline of the center’s Congressional charter, it must always have five employees: a president, two federal employees, and two researchers on fellowships. 

DOGE was created in November 2024 through an executive order. According to President Trump, its goal was to provide recommendations to “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” 

Led by X owner and Trump loyalist Elon Musk, the agency has been in charge of carrying out Trump’s efforts to downsize government agencies. Early estimates place the number of layoffs enacted by DOGE at around 280,000, a little under 13% of the total federal government workforce.