Pete Marocco Departs State Department After USAID Overhaul

Pete Marocco, who played a central role in the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the Trump administration, has left the State Department amid efforts to integrate USAID's functions into the department. Marocco's tenure was marked by a significant reduction in foreign aid programs, with only a fraction of the agency's operations continuing. His departure raised questions about the future of U.S. foreign aid, particularly as he was praised by a senior administration official for uncovering 'egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars,' although no specific examples were provided. Speculation surrounds whether Marocco was 'pushed out' from his role, especially given the ongoing changes within the agency. He is expected to take on a new position within the administration. The restructuring of USAID, which has faced criticism from Democrats, reflects broader efforts to reshape U.S. foreign assistance.