By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Trump administration official in charge of significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid programs held a briefing for members of Congress on Wednesday. However, lawmakers revealed that little information was provided regarding the adjustments being made to the distribution of billions of dollars in international assistance.
Pete Marocco, the director of the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance and the designated deputy administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development, engaged with both Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee during a closed-door session. Each member was given a mere 30 seconds to pose their questions during the hour-long discussion.
Subsequent to the meeting, Democratic committee members expressed dissatisfaction, stating that Marocco failed to offer specific details about the wide-ranging review initiated by President Donald Trump regarding all U.S. foreign aid. This review is aimed at ensuring that U.S. funding aligns with the administration’s “America First” policy. Lawmakers also highlighted Marocco’s inability to provide information on the specific programs facing cuts.
Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the committee, criticized the lack of transparency, indicating that Democrats are persisting in their efforts to push for public hearings involving administration officials. Representative Sara Jacobs echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the review process lacked a methodical approach.
Sources present at the briefing disclosed that Marocco mentioned the administration had identified instances of waste, fraud, and abuse within the system. There was a mention of potential criminal referrals to the U.S. Department of Justice, although it remained unclear whether these referrals would involve individuals within the U.S. Agency for International Development or external organizations that received grants.
In response to inquiries, a State Department spokesperson refrained from commenting due to the department’s policy of not discussing communications and briefings with Congress. Marocco left the meeting through a side exit without addressing journalists.
Since the beginning of Trump’s second term in January, numerous staff members have been placed on leave, and contractors have been terminated at USAID. This restructuring is part of an initiative led by Elon Musk, a billionaire advisor to Trump, to reduce the size of the federal government.
Concerns have been raised by Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans that the cuts in foreign aid may lead to widespread hunger, illness, and fatalities globally, while also diminishing the influence of the United States. Critics argue that freezing aid and cutting USAID funds without notifying and consulting Congress may be illegal.
Marocco’s meeting with the committee followed a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that the Trump administration could not withhold payment from foreign aid organizations for work that had already been completed. Lawmakers noted that Marocco did not indicate whether the administration intends to comply with this court order.
Republican Representative Michael McCaul, on exiting the meeting, stated that Marocco mentioned the State Department was in the process of partially implementing waivers to ensure availability of life-saving humanitarian aid. However,
The work is incomplete.
