Pete Marocco, a conservative official who oversaw the dismantling of USAID, has now left the agency. He was known for his skepticism of foreign aid, which led to protests and criticism from Democrats. Despite this, a senior administration official praised him for conducting a review of every dollar spent on foreign assistance. After being named acting deputy administrator by Secretary Marco Rubio, Marocco worked on reducing the $40 billion, 10,000-employee USAID office. President Trump’s merger of USAID with the State Department led to the termination of thousands of programs, with only about 900 continuing to operate.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Marocco expressed his continued support for President Trump and his efforts to change the government and restore American greatness. Marocco argued in an op-ed that U.S. foreign aid has created negative consequences, such as a global welfare state, unwelcome political interventions, and funding of international organizations that go against U.S. interests. Despite his departure, concerns remain about his influence and the future of U.S. foreign aid under Secretary Rubio’s leadership. Democrats, including Sen. Brian Schatz, criticized Marocco for bringing chaos and dismantling U.S. foreign policy.
After Marocco’s departure, a DOGE official has taken over the leadership of USAID. Marocco, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with a master’s degree in international humanitarian law, was the subject of a memo in which employees warned about the degradation of operational capacity and strategic efficacy under his leadership. They raised concerns about his decision making and the impact on daily operations and office planning. Marocco’s management style led to delays in programs, procurements, and caused uncertainty within the agency.
Marocco’s exit from the State Department comes after his efforts to reform USAID and reduce the number of programs and employees. His tenure was marked by controversy and criticism, with Democrats celebrating his departure but raising questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid. Despite his conservative views on foreign assistance, Marocco was praised for conducting a thorough review of spending at USAID. The decision to leave the agency was unexpected, and concerns remain about the impact he leaves behind and Secretary Rubio’s plans for the future of USAID.
Marocco’s departure from USAID marks the end of a tumultuous period for the agency, with protests and criticism surrounding his leadership. Despite his efforts to reform foreign aid, questions remain about the long-term implications of his changes and the direction of U.S. foreign policy. The transition to new leadership at USAID will be closely watched as the agency continues its work in providing assistance to countries around the world. The impact of Marocco’s tenure will be felt for years to come, as the agency looks to move forward under new leadership.
