WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Tuesday that it is pulling almost all U.S. Agency for International Development workers off the job and out of the field worldwide, moving to all but end a six-decade mission to shore up American security by fighting starvation, funding education and working to end epidemics.

All 10,000 USAID employees, except for essential personnel, were notified they will be placed on administrative leave at the end of Friday.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is the world's largest foreign aid agency, spending more than $40 billion in fiscal 2023.

By Phil Helsel, Abigail Williams and Vaughn Hillyard The U.S. Agency for International Development announced Tuesday night that almost all direct hires around the world will be placed on administrative leave this week.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused USAID, which oversees food aid, emergency relief and health programs in more than 100 countries, of acting against American interests.