Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pete Marocco

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 14, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Pete Marocco made an impact.

Peter William Marocco is an American government official who served as director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the State Department and as deputy administrator at USAID in early 2025. He is known for authoring a State Department cable that ordered a freeze on all U.S. foreign aid. This action led to widespread furloughs, layoffs, the termination of numerous U.S.-funded aid projects, and considerable confusion among aid providers. His tenure coincided with discussions among Republican figures regarding a potential merger of USAID with the State Department.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 2017: Texas Director of Logistics for Hurricane Harvey Response

In August 2017, Marocco served as the Texas director of logistics for the statewide Hurricane Harvey response.

January 7, 2018: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

On January 7, 2018, Marocco became deputy assistant secretary of state at the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

March 2019: State Department Official Speaks on International Migration Policy

In March 2019, Marocco was sent as a State Department official to a meeting on international migration policy in Hungary, while also facing complaints from the department's inspector general office.

August 16, 2019: End of term as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

August 16, 2019, marked the end of Marocco's tenure as deputy assistant secretary of state at the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

2019: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs

In 2019, Marocco served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, leading U.S. defense policy across the continent.

July 2020: Head of USAID's Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization

In July 2020, Marocco was named the head of USAID's new Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.

January 18, 2021: Incorporation of Endstate Strategies, LLC

On January 18, 2021, Marocco filed incorporation papers for Endstate Strategies, LLC.

July 2021: Corporate Director of Operations at CEC Facilities Group

By July 2021, Marocco became corporate director of operations at CEC Facilities Group in Irving, Texas.

2022: Member of the Club for Growth Foundation

In 2022, Marocco was a member of the class of the Club for Growth Foundation and was appointed to the Governors Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Advisory Council on April 7 of that year.

August 2023: Leading Figure in Dallas HERO

In August 2023, Marocco became a leading figure in nonprofit organization Dallas HERO, supporting amendments to the Dallas city charter.

2023: Appearance at CPAC Conference in Hungary

In 2023, Marocco appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) conference in Hungary and on an episode of the Ben Ferguson talk show, where he criticized U.S. foreign aid.

December 9, 2024: Working with Trump Presidential Transition Team

On December 9, 2024, it was reported that Marocco was working with the Trump presidential transition team on national security personnel matters.

January 24, 2025: Pausing Foreign Aid Spending

On January 24, 2025, as director of the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance, Marocco sent a cable ordering a pause on new foreign aid spending and a stop-work order for existing grants and contracts.

February 3, 2025: Designated as USAID Deputy Administrator

On February 3, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Marocco to act as USAID deputy administrator and begin a review and possible reorganization of its operations.

February 28, 2025: Replacing IAF President and CEO

On February 28, 2025, the Trump administration notified the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) that it was replacing its president and CEO and all of its board members with Marocco.

March 5, 2025: Turned Away From USADF Offices

On March 5, 2025, Marocco and five USDSTO staffers were turned away from the US African Development Foundation (USADF) offices by foundation security staff.