By Wendy Anders

By January 20, Donald Trump said all U.S. ambassadors appointed under outgoing Democratic President Obama must leave their posts, something no other president has ever done, reported several U.S. media last week.

Normally though changes are always made to some appointments, these are done gradually so that transitions are smooth, projects can be completed, and out of respect for family members, diplomats are allowed extra time for kids to finish school terms or take care of other personal needs, said reports in international media.

The United States ambassador to Costa Rica, Stafford Fitzgerald Haney, is one of many affected by Trump’s sweeping decision.

This move in which Trump said not “even the briefest of grace periods” nor any requested extensions would be granted, as reported in The New York Times, will likely leave the U.S. without ambassadors for several months in important countries like Germany, Canada and Great Britain.

The move by Trump was said by his advisors to not have any malicious intent, but is meant to coincide with the replacement of thousands of political advisers at the White House and in federal agencies.

The current U.S. ambassador to Costa Rica is looking for a house or apartment in our country for his family and seeking visas, so that his four school-aged children can finish classes in the country, and so his wife can continue her breast cancer treatment, said Embassy officials.

The decision also affects the United States ambassador to the Czech Republic, Andrew H. Schapiro, who is seeking other accommodations in Prague. The New York Times also reported that Denise Bauer, the United States ambassador to Belgium, and Pamela Hamamoto, a permanent representative to the United Nations, are looking for options for their children to complete their high school education undisturbed.

Roughly 30 of percent of the 188-some ambassadorships worldwide are made by political appointment, said the Huffington Post. “The more dangerous, less glamorous ambassador postings—countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan or Russia—tend to go to career Foreign Service officers, who are not required to step down by Inauguration Day,” said the news outlet, Poltiico.