Pete Marocco has been busy this month overseeing the dismantling of how the United States delivers foreign aid from his office suite on the seventh floor of the State Department. Despite his busy schedule, he took the time to meet with a Hungarian official during the early days of the Trump administration. This official, Tristan Azbej, claimed that Marocco promised to stop aid programs that interfered in Hungary’s internal affairs.
Following this meeting, Hungarian leader Viktor Orban declared media outlets and pro-democracy groups receiving aid from the U.S. Agency for International Development as “illegal agents.” He praised the Trump administration’s efforts to close down the aid agency as a positive step. This interaction highlighted a connection between the Trump and Orban governments, both known for stifling opposition and independent media.
Marocco, now in charge of reorienting foreign aid to align with Trump’s agenda, sees gutting aid programs as a way to punish some countries and benefit others for better relations with the U.S. This move has sparked legal challenges regarding the freezing of already appropriated aid money.
Marocco, a former conservative activist, has been appointed to review foreign aid operations to maximize efficiency and align them with national interests. He views U.S.A.I.D. as being at odds with Trump’s agenda and has taken steps to dismantle the agency, which has faced resistance from employees and legal challenges.
In his efforts to reshape the agency, Marocco has faced criticism and resistance from both career employees and political appointees. His actions have led to plummeting morale and accusations of slowing down operations. Some employees see his recent actions as retribution for past criticism and resistance within the agency.