Pete Marocco, a seasoned bureaucrat noted for his skepticism towards foreign aid, has recently vacated his position at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
According to Fox News, Marocco's departure follows a controversial tenure marked by significant reductions in the agency's size and scope.
Marocco, who had previously held roles across multiple U.S. departments, including the Defense, State, and Commerce, was instrumental in the significant downsizing of USAID. He plans to reduce the agency’s staff dramatically, with thousands facing termination by September under his oversight.
The reductions are a continuation of the restructuring that reduced USAID's active programs from 6,000 to just 900. Moreover, Marocco, who was appointed by Secretary Marco Rubio after a merger of USAID with the State Department during Donald Trump's presidency, faced widespread criticism for his management style.
Furthermore, a leaked memo from within USAID expressed grave concerns about Marocco's methodologies. Staff members highlighted his tendency to reevaluate approved projects, which introduced uncertainty into the agency’s operations, and they urgently called for intervention.
Here's what a senior administration official had to say about Marocco's role:
> "Pete was brought to State with a big mission to conduct an exhaustive review of every dollar spent on foreign assistance. He conducted that historic task and exposed egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars. We all expect big things are in store for Pete on his next mission."
Sen. Brian Schatz amplified the democrat voice, celebrating Marocco's exit as a positive shift. Schatz stressed that Marocco's term had a dire impact on both USAID and broader U.S. foreign policy.
"Pete Marocco no longer works with us as of late last week," said a spokesperson from the State Department, reflecting on the sudden changes. Currently, USAID is under the temporary leadership of an official from the Department of the Office of Government Ethics (DOGE), which will maintain its regulatory role over USAID.
An appeals court recently affirmed that the DOGE can continue overseeing operations at USAID, signaling a sustained shift in how the agency will govern post-Marocco.
Marocco, who holds a master’s degree in international humanitarian law from the University of Oxford, seems unperturbed by the controversies. He affirmed his ongoing commitment to Trump's administration, emphasizing the uniqueness of Trump's leadership and the need to continue reforming government practices.
During his career, particularly in USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, Marocco garnered a reputation for being both reformative and divisive.His powerful sense of purpose in optimizing American foreign aid has often shaped his policies, but his decisions have also sparked debates about their strategic impacts.
Looking forward, the imprint that Marocco leaves behind at USAID continues to stir discussions. "With his exit, serious questions remain about the influence he leaves behind and whether or not Secretary Rubio plans to take actions that advance the mission and credibility of the United States," said Sen. Schatz, highlighting the ongoing concerns.
In conclusion, Pete Marocco's departure from the State Department marks the end of a contentious chapter in the history of USAID. As the agency moves forward, it faces the challenge of regaining its strategic efficacy and operational stability, amidst ongoing debates about the future of U.S. foreign aid under the current administrative paradigm.
