President Donald Trump’s administration is continuing its radical effort to cut much of the federal government and crackdown on immigration — and is being met with dozens of legal challenges.
On the foreign policy front, Trump’s press secretary said the White House believes it can reach a deal to end the war in Ukraine this week even as Trump attacks Ukraine’s president and blames it for starting the war, which even some in his own party are calling him out over.
Meanwhile, heads of federal government agencies were telling employees not to reply to an email from Elon Musk, Trump’s ally who he picked to cut government waste, which asked for them to list their accomplishments for the week or face termination.
President Donald Trump’s administration said that approximately 2,000 USAID personnel in the U.S. will be terminated and others around the world will be placed on administrative leave just before midnight on Sunday.
“As of 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 23, 2025, all USAID direct hire personnel, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and/or specially designated programs, will be placed on administrative leave globally,” a notice on the government’s website reads.
USAID indicates that there will be an exception for employees who handle mission-critical functions.