In a significant shift within the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a top-ranking official from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is assuming a leadership role.
This move grants DOGE direct control over an agency it has previously sought to dismantle, as revealed in an email acquired by The Associated Press.
Pete Marocco, a political appointee from the Trump administration who was serving as the deputy head of USAID, announced the change in an email to the State Department staff, as reported by The Associated Press. This development follows Marocco and DOGE's orchestration of a massive reduction in USAID contracts by 83%, with the remaining programs being transferred under the State Department's purview.
In his email, Marocco stated that he would take on the role of the State Department's head of foreign assistance. He further disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would "effective immediately" appoint Jeremy Lewin as the deputy administrator for policy and programs at USAID and as the chief operating officer. Lewin, a DOGE official, has been instrumental in Musk's efforts to streamline government operations at USAID and other federal agencies.
In addition to Lewin's appointment, Rubio also designated Kenneth Jackson as the administrator for management and resources, who will concurrently serve as the agency's chief financial officer. President Donald Trump further appointed Jackson as the acting president of the U.S. Institute for Peace, a government think tank dedicated to promoting conflict resolution.
The announcement of the DOGE team member's appointment coincided with a federal judge's ruling that Musk and DOGE seemingly lacked constitutional authority for their two-month endeavor assisting the Trump administration in shutting down State and USAID foreign assistance funding, terminating staff, and ending humanitarian and development contracts.
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland, in his ruling on Tuesday, indefinitely barred DOGE from implementing further cuts to the agency. This ruling was the outcome of a lawsuit filed by USAID employees and contractors, who contended that Musk and DOGE were exercising power that the Constitution reserves solely for those who win elections or are confirmed by the Senate. The plaintiffs' lawyers stated that the ruling "effectively halts or reverses" many of the steps taken to dismantle the agency.
This significant reshuffling within USAID and the subsequent legal ruling highlight the ongoing tension between the Trump administration's efforts to streamline government operations and the constitutional limits of executive power. As the situation continues to unfold, the future of USAID and its role in international development remains uncertain.
The implications of these changes for the agency's staff, its ongoing programs, and its overall mission to advance American foreign policy interests through development and humanitarian aid are yet to be fully understood. However, it is clear that this development marks a significant turning point in the agency's history and its relationship with the Department of Government Efficiency.
As the Trump administration continues to push for efficiency and limited government, these changes within USAID reflect a broader trend towards streamlining federal agencies. However, the legal challenges and constitutional questions raised in the process underscore the complexities and potential pitfalls of such efforts.
As the story continues to develop, the balance between efficiency and constitutional authority will likely remain a central theme. The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the future of government efficiency efforts and the role of USAID in advancing American foreign policy interests.
Login