**Marocco’s tenure has drawn criticism for dismantling USAID effectively, leading to a significant reduction in operations and employee layoffs.**
**U.S. Foreign Aid Chief Departs Amid Controversy Over Support Cuts**
**U.S. Foreign Aid Chief Departs Amid Controversy Over Support Cuts**
**Former USAID head Pete Marocco exits State Department as scrutiny intensifies over cuts to foreign aid programs.**
Pete Marocco, the former head of foreign aid at the U.S. State Department, has resigned, drawing criticism for his role in significant cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the Trump administration. His departure signals ongoing challenges in the department’s merger of USAID’s remnant functions into its broader operations, set to complete by mid-August.
Marocco’s tenure was marked by the cancellation of thousands of contracts and the reduction of USAID's workforce from about 10,000 to just a handful, limiting the agency's capacity to deliver critical assistance worldwide. Although some officials have applauded his efforts to identify mismanagement and protect taxpayer resources, no specific examples were provided.
Critics, including Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, have accused Marocco of wreaking havoc on U.S. foreign policy and jeopardizing aid to millions in need. They argue that his policies have weakened U.S. credibility with international partners.
Despite his critics, a senior administration official lauded Marocco's focus on safeguarding taxpayer dollars, indicating potential for Marocco to take on another role within the government. The exact nature of his future position remains unclear, but it is evident that the repercussions of his tenure will need assessment as the State Department continues to recalibrate its foreign aid strategy.
Marocco’s tenure was marked by the cancellation of thousands of contracts and the reduction of USAID's workforce from about 10,000 to just a handful, limiting the agency's capacity to deliver critical assistance worldwide. Although some officials have applauded his efforts to identify mismanagement and protect taxpayer resources, no specific examples were provided.
Critics, including Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, have accused Marocco of wreaking havoc on U.S. foreign policy and jeopardizing aid to millions in need. They argue that his policies have weakened U.S. credibility with international partners.
Despite his critics, a senior administration official lauded Marocco's focus on safeguarding taxpayer dollars, indicating potential for Marocco to take on another role within the government. The exact nature of his future position remains unclear, but it is evident that the repercussions of his tenure will need assessment as the State Department continues to recalibrate its foreign aid strategy.
