Jeremy Lewin appointed acting head of US foreign assistance office

The Trump administration has appointed Jeremy Lewin, a key member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as the acting head of foreign assistance at the State Department, replacing Pete Marocco. This change is part of the administration's broader agenda to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has seen over 80% of its programs canceled since Trump's inauguration. Lewin, who was previously involved in these dismantling efforts, will also continue his role as USAID's acting deputy administrator. The administration's cuts to foreign aid, justified by Trump as aligning with his 'America First' priorities, have raised concerns about the impact on global humanitarian efforts. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the cancellation of an additional 139 grants totaling $214 million, although some emergency food assistance programs were reinstated shortly after their cancellation. Lewin's appointment marks a significant integration of Musk's DOGE into federal operations, highlighting a shift towards reducing government spending on humanitarian aid.