In a bold and contentious maneuver, Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Jeremy Lewin from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to lead the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on March 18, 2025. This appointment raises questions amidst a backdrop of judicial scrutiny and significant organizational upheaval.
Just one day prior to Lewin’s appointment, a federal judge ruled that efforts by Musk and DOGE to dismantle USAID could likely be unconstitutional. The ruling, from District Judge Beryl Howell, specifically barred DOGE from taking any actions related to USAID without proper authorization from legal representatives of the agency.
Despite this judicial blow, the Trump administration appears determined to reshape USAID. Lewin, previously leading the aggressive cutbacks at the agency during a controversial raid in February—wherein DOGE allegedly laid off up to 50% of USAID’s workforce—now holds the reins to the agency’s programs and policies.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration’s goal is to retain fewer than 300 of USAID’s nearly 10,000 employees and, stunningly, that 83% of USAID’s programs have already been terminated. Although congressional law prohibits any federal agency from being dissolved without explicit legislative approval, the administration seems to be navigating a complex web of legal challenges while moving forward with a radical reduction of the agency’s scope.
In an intense legal filing on March 19, the attorneys for Musk and DOGE clarified that Lewin's appointment did not contravene the injunction laid out by the judge. They asserted that his appointment was made prior to the ruling, though it was only publicly announced afterwards. “Mr. Lewin surely does not fall within the spirit of this Court’s decision—and Defendants file this motion to ensure he is not wrongfully picked up by its letter,” claimed the lawyers, seeking to prevent further legal repercussions.
Yet, as Lewin took office, Judge Howell expressed deep concern over the chaotic entry of DOGE’s operatives into the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP)—an independent organization founded by Congress to foster global peace efforts. On March 19, Howell allowed DOGE to maintain a presence at USIP, despite fierce criticisms of their tactics during the takeover. An affidavit from USIP’s chief security officer described how staff were forcibly removed from the building, an act that Judge Howell termed as “offensive” and a violation of basic conduct.
According to Howell, “I am offended on behalf of the American citizens,” acknowledging that the staff at USIP had been treated “abominably” during the armed entry. This confrontation is just a piece of a tumultuous trend, with DOGE’s aggressive actions representing a broader policy directive from the Trump administration aimed at slashing governmental personnel and federal spending.
The tensions spilled further into the public eye with reactions from political leaders who had previously channeled concerns over DOGE’s influence and the massive layoffs impacting vital agencies like USAID. Virginian Rep. Don Beyer remarked ominously, “A great deal of damage has been done” to USAID due to DOGE's activities. He called the judge’s rulings a “very encouraging” sign of the judicial system reasserting its authority over executive overreach.
Reacting to these developments, Pete Marocco, who served as the deputy administrator-designate at USAID during its dismantling, confirmed he would be returning to a position in the State Department as the director of foreign assistance. In a statement, he expressed pride in having assisted Secretary Rubio during these tumultuous times. “Now that USAID is under control, accountable and stable, I am going to return to my post as the director of foreign assistance,” he indicated, citing that the disruptions had to end for effective governance to resume.
The stakes are high as USAID, foundational for U.S. global development efforts, faces one of the most trying periods in its history. The agency’s mission, teetering on the brink with an expected congressional funding drop to $55 million this year, serves under increasing scrutiny as Trump and his allies reframe foreign aid as unnecessary indulgences contrary to America’s interests.
Critics continue to voice alarm over how these shifts will reduce America’s capacity to engage constructively on the world stage, particularly in regions profoundly affected by the reduction of U.S. aid. With a legacy of nearly 50 years in disease control and humanitarian assistance, the dismantling of programs is seen as counterproductive at best and damaging at worst.
President Trump’s directive to pause foreign aid pending a review of agency objectives under his “America First” philosophy exemplifies this new tactic. As they aim for a far leaner government, the administration's policies prompt challenging questions about the long-term implications for global stability and U.S. soft power.
This crisis in leadership and governance unfolds as each appointment and decision generates a ripple effect that impacts not just governmental efficiency but the lives of millions, globally and domestically. With the future of agencies like USAID in limbo, the current administration’s ideological battles could lead to immeasurable costs as development efforts faced unprecedented challenges.
As the situation evolves, how Jeremy Lewin’s leadership unfolds at USAID may well dictate the agency’s fate and define the administration’s legacy in international development efforts. For now, all eyes are on the ongoing court proceedings, the political maneuvering surrounding these appointments, and the immediate impacts on U.S. foreign policy.
