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Sources claim that Trump administration has laid off more than 2,000 employees at Interior Department

About 2,300 people were laid off by the U.S. Interior Department is part of Trump's government job cuts. Three sources with knowledge of the matter confirm this.

Interior Department administers oil and gas leasing onshore and off-shore programs, which account for around one quarter of U.S. production.

According to one source, the Bureau of Land Management is among the 800 employees who have been laid off. The Bureau manages millions of acres of federal land for uses such as oil and gas exploration, timber harvesting, cultural conservation and recreation.

Sources asked to remain anonymous when discussing the issue.

The Interior Department didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

Donald Trump said that he hoped to maximize the U.S. production of oil and natural gas, which was already at record levels.

Trump has appointed Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who is a former Tesla CEO, to cut government spending and bureaucracy. This has led to mass firings in agencies and departments. (Reporting and writing by Nichola Volcovici, Deepa Babington, Richard Valdmanis)

(source: Reuters)