In an intriguing shift within the U.S. government, a prominent figure from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been appointed to a leading position at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Details regarding this change emerged through an email, highlighting the role DOGE has played in reducing government size, particularly at USAID and other federal departments. Jeremy Lewin, an influential member of DOGE, is the second of Musk’s associates securing a high-level position during the tenure of the Trump administration. This development further embeds the influence of DOGE within federal operations.
The contributions and initiatives led by DOGE in resizing government operations have sparked a mix of reactions. While some publicly support Musk’s aggressive approach towards cutting government workforce and programs, others express significant disapproval. Pete Marocco, previously a high-ranking political appointee in the Trump administration at USAID, divulged the staff change in an email to State Department staff, revealing an organizational realignment. The restructuring led to the reduction of USAID contracts by 83%, with remaining programs now operating under the State Department’s guidance.
Marocco’s correspondence confirmed his new role as the State Department’s director of foreign assistance. He emphasized the importance of this position in ensuring U.S. government foreign aid aligns with presidential directives. As part of the changes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has appointed Lewin as the deputy administrator for policy and programs at USAID, as well as chief operating officer. This organizational shift comes amid discussions among officials on maintaining crucial foreign assistance efforts while navigating the ongoing dissolution efforts of the aid and development agency under the Trump administration.
Coincidentally, the same day Marocco sent the email, a federal court ruling influenced the restructuring activities. Judge Theodore Chuang placed a hold on DOGE’s attempts to further cut agency operations. The ruling suggests that Musk and DOGE lack constitutional authority to dismantle State Department and USAID operations and cease personnel and contractual agreements. This court decision arises from a lawsuit by USAID staff and affiliated contractors concerned about DOGE’s expansive reach into the missions of governmental agencies, asserting that such power constitutionally belongs to elected or Senate-confirmed individuals.
This lawsuit primarily targets DOGE’s activities. However, the judicial decision did not conclude that equivalent actions by designated USAID officials would similarly breach constitutional norms. In another notable development, the Treasury Department has appointed DOGE affiliate Tom Krause to carry out duties characteristic of an assistant secretary. This decision followed increased concerns from Democratic officials and others about DOGE’s involvement with the Treasury’s financial operations.
In alignment with this week’s structural changes under the Trump administration, Marco Rubio has appointed Kenneth Jackson to oversee management and resources as the agency’s chief financial officer. Jackson’s new roles include acting president of the U.S. Institute for Peace, a government entity dedicated to promoting conflict resolution worldwide. These appointments reaffirm the influence and integration of Musk’s associates in reshaping the facets of governmental agencies during this administration.