Trump official Pete Marocco exits State Department amid USAID funding cuts
- Pete Marocco, who led efforts to cut USAID funding, has left the State Department after a brief tenure.
- His departure followed tensions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the extent of these funding cuts.
- The exit raises questions about the future of foreign assistance programs in the U.S. and their alignment with national interests.
In the United States, a significant leadership change occurred at the State Department as Pete Marocco departed after a brief tenure of less than three months. Appointed in January, Marocco was tasked with overseeing an extensive evaluation of U.S. foreign assistance spending, which included the controversial downsizing of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). His exit came following reported tensions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the extent of funding cuts to the agency, which have seen 83 percent of its overseas project contracts canceled since the Trump administration took office. Marocco's mission was characterized as historic, aimed at identifying perceived misuses of taxpayer dollars within foreign aid programs. Although he exposed what was termed egregious abuse of funds, his efforts have sparked outrage and backlash from various stakeholders, including Democrats who argue that his cuts deprived millions of people around the world of essential aid and undermined U.S. credibility abroad. Reports suggest that Marocco was informed of his dismissal during a White House meeting, where he was asked to return his agency badge and laptop. This abrupt exit led to speculation about whether he would remain in the Trump administration in any capacity. Notably, his departure raises questions about the future of USAID, as two Republican senators are exploring redirecting funding initially allocated for the agency to support other domestic initiatives, such as housing for veterans. With USAID facing substantial budget cuts and restructuring under the current administration, the impending reorganization plan is set to overlook many longstanding programs and emphasize a new direction for U.S. foreign assistance, focused on aligning with national interests. As the reorganization plan is expected to be delivered to the Office of Management and Budget soon, the implications of Marocco’s departure may significantly influence ongoing discussions about foreign aid and assistance moving forward.