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State Department official who led USAID cuts leaves position unexpectedly

Peter Marocco departed his position as Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, though the reasons for his exit remain undisclosed.

Protestas por el cierre de la USAID bajo el sello cubierto de la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (USAID) en su sede de Washington, DC, el 7 de febrero de 2025.

Facade of USAID headquarters.AFP

Diane Hernández
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Diane Hernández

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The Trump Administration official who developed the strategy to dismantle the Agency for International Development (USAID) left his post at the State Department, the department itself confirmed.

Peter Marocco left his post as Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, a position in which he oversaw severe cuts and layoffs at the agency known as USAID, a senior official told the Wall Street Journal.

The administration source revealed that Marocco was brought to the State Department to conduct a thorough review of every dollar spent on foreign assistance. So far, there is no information as to what duties the official will fill.

Pete Marocco, Trump official who oversaw dismantling of USAID, abruptly leaves State Department role https://t.co/ft9t8sB5hJ pic.twitter.com/DUmvYeMc7Y

Musk and Rubio applauded the dismantling of USAID

The cuts to the agency were applauded by Rubio and other members of the administration, such as Elon Musk, the world's richest person, who inspired the actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk has repeatedly held up USAID and other programs cut this year as examples of fraud and waste in the federal government. In March, a federal judge ruled that the USAID shutdown was likely unconstitutional, and his injunction prevents DOGE from taking any further action related to the USAID shutdown.

Still, the Secretary of State himself confirmed weeks ago that 83% of the agency's projects had been permanently canceled.

Marocco and its passage through the Trump administrations

This is not the first time Marocco has changed positions within the Trump administration. During his first term, the official held positions at the Department of Commerce, the Pentagon, the State Department and USAID itself.

During Trump's four years out of office, Marocco was also out of government, living and working in Texas, where the U.S. Marine Corps veteran ran a consulting firm.

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