More USAID officials being put on administrative leave as offices in Washington remain closed all week

More officials across the US Agency for International Development began getting notices Tuesday evening that they were being put on administrative leave, expected to be part of a widespread effort to cut staffers out of the system.

More officials across the US Agency for International Development began getting notices Tuesday evening that they were being put on administrative leave, expected to be part of a widespread effort to cut staffers out of the system. Multiple officials shared with CNN the notice from the acting deputy administrator, Peter Marocco. The notices went to officials based both overseas and in Washington, DC. “You will remain on administrative leave with pay until otherwise notified,” the notice reads. “During the period that you are on administrative leave you are not to enter USAID premises, access USAID systems, or attempt to use your position or authority with USAID in any way without my prior permission or prior permission of a supervisor in your chain of command,” the letter from Marocco says. The notices come as the Trump administration has begun dismantling the agency and frozen almost all foreign aid. A day earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he is acting administrator of USAID, confirming the de-facto takeover of the humanitarian agency by the State Department. The Tuesday letter instructed employees to email a USAID official with their “personal contact information, including your phone number, email and mailing address,” so they can remain available during regular business hours. A USAID employee told CNN they emailed and got a bounce back, saying that person is also on leave.