Peter Marocco
A veteran of the first Trump administration, he was reportedly placed on administrative leave in 2020 for establishing a pattern in a division of USAID that he ran where he would unilaterally freeze or revoke grants that he felt didn’t reflect administration priorities. When employees spoke up about it, he would then accuse them of insubordination and attempt to get them suspended or fired. He sounds like a really nice guy, so it’s probably not surprising that placing him in charge of USAID this year led to the rapid destruction of the agency. And it’s also possibly why he himself was reportedly ousted from the State Department after the damage was complete. It would be comically ironic, if it didn’t mean the loss of hundreds of valuable people in USAID and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide.
Positions
Appointed:
1/20/25-4/13/25 Director of Foreign Assistance $195,200
Appointed:
1/20/25-4/13/25 Director of Foreign Assistance $195,200
| Source: | Data Reveals Details About DOGE, Government Hiring in 2025 Bloomberg, 1/09/26 |
| Source: | Trump-appointed official who oversaw dismantling of USAID leaves State Department Reuters, 4/13/25 |
Appointed:
2/01/25-3/19/25
Appointed:
2/01/25-3/19/25
| Source: | Two Officials Who Helped Dismantle U.S. Aid Agency Are Named as Its New Leaders The New York Times, 3/19/25 |
Appointed:
2/28/25-4/04/25 President/CEO «Assuming removed with Sara Aviel reinstatement by court order»
Appointed:
2/28/25-4/04/25 President/CEO «Assuming removed with Sara Aviel reinstatement by court order»
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-3 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
Appointed:
2/28/25 Acting Chair of the Board
Appointed:
2/28/25 Acting Chair of the Board
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-3 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
Events
1/20/25
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts as Director of Foreign Assistance at State.
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts as Director of Foreign Assistance at State.
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 1/20/25-4/13/25 |
| Position Title: | Director of Foreign Assistance |
| Salary: | $195,200 |
| Source: | Data Reveals Details About DOGE, Government Hiring in 2025 Bloomberg, 1/09/26 |
| Source: | Trump-appointed official who oversaw dismantling of USAID leaves State Department Reuters, 4/13/25 |
1/23/25
Interagency Coordination:
An unnamed USAID official receives an angry late-night phone call from Peter Marocco, the newly appointed Director of Foreign Assistance at the US State Department, accusing employees of trying to subvert the President’s executive order imposing a 90-day pause on all foreign aid.
Interagency Coordination:
An unnamed USAID official receives an angry late-night phone call from Peter Marocco, the newly appointed Director of Foreign Assistance at the US State Department, accusing employees of trying to subvert the President’s executive order imposing a 90-day pause on all foreign aid.
| Person: | Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Within two weeks of President Trump’s return to the White House, U.S.A.I.D. was on the cusp of oblivion The New York Times, 6/22/25 |
| Agency: | State, USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Spending |
1/24/25
Official Action:
The State Department issues a memo written by Peter Marocco and signed by Marco Rubio that not only puts a halt to future foreign aid but also insists on stop-work orders for ~6200 current grants and contracts at USAID.
Official Action:
The State Department issues a memo written by Peter Marocco and signed by Marco Rubio that not only puts a halt to future foreign aid but also insists on stop-work orders for ~6200 current grants and contracts at USAID.
| Person: | Marco Rubio, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Within two weeks of President Trump’s return to the White House, U.S.A.I.D. was on the cusp of oblivion The New York Times, 6/22/25 |
| Agency: | State, USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Spending |
1/27/25
Onboarding:
Still convinced that USAID is deliberately committing insubordination against the executive order, Peter Marocco arrives at USAID with DOGE staffers Luke Farritor, Edward Coristine and Clayton Cromer to audit USAID’s accounts.
Onboarding:
Still convinced that USAID is deliberately committing insubordination against the executive order, Peter Marocco arrives at USAID with DOGE staffers Luke Farritor, Edward Coristine and Clayton Cromer to audit USAID’s accounts.
| Person: | Clayton Cromer, Edward Coristine, Luke Farritor, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Within two weeks of President Trump’s return to the White House, U.S.A.I.D. was on the cusp of oblivion The New York Times, 6/22/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Spending |
1/30/25
Disruption:
Jeremy Lewin and Elon Musk order the acting head of USAID to comply with orders to lock every USAID employee worldwide out of all email and other communication systems. He refuses, stating that a sudden loss of access could get aid workers killed.
Disruption:
Jeremy Lewin and Elon Musk order the acting head of USAID to comply with orders to lock every USAID employee worldwide out of all email and other communication systems. He refuses, stating that a sudden loss of access could get aid workers killed.
| Person: | Elon Musk, Jeremy Lewin, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Within two weeks of President Trump’s return to the White House, U.S.A.I.D. was on the cusp of oblivion The New York Times, 6/22/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Elimination, Impunity |
2/01/25
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts at USAID.
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts at USAID.
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 2/01/25-3/19/25 |
| Source: | Two Officials Who Helped Dismantle U.S. Aid Agency Are Named as Its New Leaders The New York Times, 3/19/25 |
Disruption:
The acting head of the USAID, Jason Gray, is removed and replaced by Marco Rubio. Rubio then resigns and names Peter Marocco the Acting Deputy Administrator for the agency, giving him absolute power to force his demands.
Disruption:
The acting head of the USAID, Jason Gray, is removed and replaced by Marco Rubio. Rubio then resigns and names Peter Marocco the Acting Deputy Administrator for the agency, giving him absolute power to force his demands.
| Person: | Marco Rubio, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Within two weeks of President Trump’s return to the White House, U.S.A.I.D. was on the cusp of oblivion The New York Times, 6/22/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Impunity |
2/20/25
Report:
Trump political appointees and DOGE staffers hold an impromptu celebration of their work on the one-month anniversary of Trump’s inauguration, complete with a celebratory cake, in the agency’s new temporary offices where senior staff are isolated from the remaining career employees by a “moat” of 90 empty desks.
Report:
Trump political appointees and DOGE staffers hold an impromptu celebration of their work on the one-month anniversary of Trump’s inauguration, complete with a celebratory cake, in the agency’s new temporary offices where senior staff are isolated from the remaining career employees by a “moat” of 90 empty desks.
| Person: | Jeremy Lewin, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera. Pro Publica, 12/15/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Impunity |
2/23/25
Disruption:
Employees at USAID receive emails with a “Specific Notice of a RIF” effective in 60 days and signed by Peter Marocco. Many employees had already been placed on administrative leave.
Disruption:
Employees at USAID receive emails with a “Specific Notice of a RIF” effective in 60 days and signed by Peter Marocco. Many employees had already been placed on administrative leave.
| Person: | Peter Marocco |
| Source: | J. Doe 4 v. Musk, doc 111-1 Court Document, 5/01/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Elimination |
2/28/25
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts as President/CEO at IAF.
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts as President/CEO at IAF.
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 2/28/25-4/04/25 |
| Position Title: | President/CEO |
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-3 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
| Note: | Assuming removed with Sara Aviel reinstatement by court order |
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts as Acting Chair of the Board at USADF.
Appointed:
Peter Marocco starts as Acting Chair of the Board at USADF.
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 2/28/25 |
| Position Title: | Acting Chair of the Board |
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-3 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
Disruption:
White House Deputy Trent Morse sends an email to the office director at the IAF which states that Peter Marocco has been appointed the acting Chairman for the agency.
Disruption:
White House Deputy Trent Morse sends an email to the office director at the IAF which states that Peter Marocco has been appointed the acting Chairman for the agency.
| Person: | Peter Marocco, Trent Morse |
| Source: | Aviel v. Gor, doc 35-9 Court Document, 4/18/25 |
| Agency: | IAF |
Disruption:
Peter Marocco convenes an emergency board meeting (where the emergency is that Trump issued an executive order), asserting that means he can avoid the mandatory 1-week notification to the board of the agency. In attendance at the meeting are Ethan Shaotran and Nate Cavanaugh. This is where he declares himself the new President and Acting CIO of the IAF.
Disruption:
Peter Marocco convenes an emergency board meeting (where the emergency is that Trump issued an executive order), asserting that means he can avoid the mandatory 1-week notification to the board of the agency. In attendance at the meeting are Ethan Shaotran and Nate Cavanaugh. This is where he declares himself the new President and Acting CIO of the IAF.
| Person: | Ethan Shaotran, Nate Cavanaugh, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Aviel v. Gor, doc 35-10 Court Document, 4/18/25 |
| Agency: | IAF |
3/01/25
Disruption:
Reviewing the spreadsheet, Jeremy Lewin orders that 151 additional awards must be terminated, writing that he would “have strong objections to these awards being turned on.” Emailing later at 11:30pm, Peter Marocco also states the reactivations were far too broad and indicating more programs to be terminated.
Disruption:
Reviewing the spreadsheet, Jeremy Lewin orders that 151 additional awards must be terminated, writing that he would “have strong objections to these awards being turned on.” Emailing later at 11:30pm, Peter Marocco also states the reactivations were far too broad and indicating more programs to be terminated.
| Person: | Jeremy Lewin, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Trump Officials Celebrated With Cake After Slashing Aid. Then People Died of Cholera. Pro Publica, 12/15/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Spending |
3/04/25
Disruption:
Peter Marocco sends emails to all grantees terminating all of IAF’s existing grants except for a single one that was almost completely disbursed by that point.
Disruption:
Peter Marocco sends emails to all grantees terminating all of IAF’s existing grants except for a single one that was almost completely disbursed by that point.
| Person: | Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Aviel v. Gor, doc 35-2 Court Document, 4/18/25 |
| Agency: | IAF |
| DOGE Project: | Elimination, Spending |
Disruption:
USADF CFO Mathieu Zahui receives an email from Nate Cavanaugh informing him that Peter Marocco would be coming to the office the following day in his declared capacity as Chairman of the Board.
Disruption:
USADF CFO Mathieu Zahui receives an email from Nate Cavanaugh informing him that Peter Marocco would be coming to the office the following day in his declared capacity as Chairman of the Board.
| Person: | Nate Cavanaugh, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-2 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
| Agency: | USADF |
Disruption:
Peter Marocco announces himself to staff at IAF as President/CEO. He then begins immediately dismantling all contracts and places all staff on administrative leave for 30 days to prevent them from interfering or monitoring DOGE’s actions at the agency.
Disruption:
Peter Marocco announces himself to staff at IAF as President/CEO. He then begins immediately dismantling all contracts and places all staff on administrative leave for 30 days to prevent them from interfering or monitoring DOGE’s actions at the agency.
| Person: | Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-3 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
| Agency: | IAF |
| DOGE Project: | Elimination, Impunity, Spending |
3/19/25
Offboarding:
Peter Marocco leaves role at USAID
Offboarding:
Peter Marocco leaves role at USAID
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 2/01/25-3/19/25 |
| Source: | Two Officials Who Helped Dismantle U.S. Aid Agency Are Named as Its New Leaders The New York Times, 3/19/25 |
Official Action:
Peter Marocco says that he will be succeeded at the agency by Jeremy Lewin and Kenneth Jackson, serving in deputy roles.
Official Action:
Peter Marocco says that he will be succeeded at the agency by Jeremy Lewin and Kenneth Jackson, serving in deputy roles.
| Person: | Jeremy Lewin, Kenneth Jackson, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Two Officials Who Helped Dismantle U.S. Aid Agency Are Named as Its New Leaders The New York Times, 3/19/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
4/04/25
Offboarding:
Peter Marocco leaves role as President/CEO at IAF
Offboarding:
Peter Marocco leaves role as President/CEO at IAF
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 2/28/25-4/04/25 |
| Position Title: | President/CEO |
| Source: | Brehm v. Marocco, doc 7-3 Court Document, 3/06/25 |
| Note: | Assuming removed with Sara Aviel reinstatement by court order |
4/08/25
Disruption:
After Rubio and the Trump administration promised to keep many lifesaving humanitarian grant programs active, almost all of them are slashed over the weekend. Some of the cut programs are then restored later. In one example, Peter Marocco ordered staff to comply with White House orders to stop all funds to Afghanistan. In other cases, Jeremy Lewin appears to have been involved with the alterations. USAID staff are not informed directly of these changes but find out from aid organizations whose funds have been affected.
Disruption:
After Rubio and the Trump administration promised to keep many lifesaving humanitarian grant programs active, almost all of them are slashed over the weekend. Some of the cut programs are then restored later. In one example, Peter Marocco ordered staff to comply with White House orders to stop all funds to Afghanistan. In other cases, Jeremy Lewin appears to have been involved with the alterations. USAID staff are not informed directly of these changes but find out from aid organizations whose funds have been affected.
| Person: | Jeremy Lewin, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | U.S. Slashes Many of the Aid Programs It Had Promised to Keep The New York Times, 4/09/25 |
| Agency: | USAID |
| DOGE Project: | Elimination, Spending |
4/13/25
Offboarding:
Peter Marocco leaves role as Director of Foreign Assistance at State
Offboarding:
Peter Marocco leaves role as Director of Foreign Assistance at State
| Appointed: | Peter Marocco 1/20/25-4/13/25 |
| Position Title: | Director of Foreign Assistance |
| Salary: | $195,200 |
| Source: | Data Reveals Details About DOGE, Government Hiring in 2025 Bloomberg, 1/09/26 |
| Source: | Trump-appointed official who oversaw dismantling of USAID leaves State Department Reuters, 4/13/25 |
3/04/26
| Person: | Elon Musk, Jeremy Lewin, Peter Marocco |
| Source: | Elon Musk Deposition Blocked by Appeals Court in DOGE Fight Bloomberg Government, 3/04/26 |
| Agency: | USAID |