Trump administration eliminating 1,600 USAID jobs in the US

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration said on Sunday 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 in the United States, Reuters reports.

The move comes amid the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government and cut spending. 

Trump’s most powerful ally and head of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk had earlier called USAID a ‘criminal organization.’

"I regret to inform you that you are affected by a Reduction in Force action," said an email sent to one of the workers being fired that was reviewed by Reuters. Those who got the note will be let go from federal service effective April 24, the email said.

USAID said on its website that just before midnight on Sunday U.S. Eastern Time, all direct hires except essential workers will be put on leave and 1,600 USAID personnel in the U.S. would be cut.

An earlier notice sent to staff and reviewed by Reuters said about 2,000 U.S. positions would be eliminated.

On Friday, a U.S. 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.

Two former senior USAID officials estimated that a majority of some 4,600 USAID personnel, career U.S. Civil Service and Foreign Service staffers, would be placed on administrative leave.