The acting administrator of the United States Agency for International Development informed senior staff Wednesday he has tested positive for coronavirus, two sources familiar with the call tell Axios.
Why it matters: John Barsa, who staffers say rarely wears a mask in their office, is the latest in a series of top administration officials to contract the virus. His positive diagnosis comes amid broader turmoil at the agency following the election.
- A spokesperson for Barsa confirmed the diagnosis to Axios.
Details: Barsa was planning to travel to Honduras this weekend after the country was ravaged by recent hurricanes. Administration officials say they expect that trip is now off.
- Barsa's positive test results comes shortly after Donald Trump Jr. and senior White House aide Andrew Giuliani, among several others close to the president, also contracted the virus.
The backdrop: Barsa has come under fire in recent weeks after Axios obtained leaked audio of him threatening appointees. He said their future work prospects could be crushed if they began searching for new jobs as President Trump continued to contest the election results.
