The administration of the United States President, Donald Trump on Sunday said it was placing all personnel at the foreign assistance agency USAID, except leaders and critical staff, on paid administrative leave and eliminating 1,600 positions.
The Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, headed by Billionaire Elon Musk has led an effort to gut the US Agency for International Development, the main delivery mechanism for American foreign assistance and a critical tool of US soft power for winning influence abroad.
“I regret to inform you that you are affected by a Reduction in Force action. Those who got the note will be let go from federal service effective April 24,” he said through an email sent to workers.
According to USAID on its website just before midnight on Sunday, US Eastern Time, all direct hires except essential workers will be put on leave and 1,600 USAID personnel in the US would be cut.
An earlier notice sent to staff said at least 2,000 US positions would be eliminated.
The White House has not yet commented on the development.
Recall that on Friday, a federal judge cleared the way for the Trump administration to put thousands of USAID workers on leave, a setback for government employee unions that are suing over what they have called an effort to dismantle it.