DOGE associate Jeremy Lewin is made acting head of foreign assistance at the State Department, a US official says

Source: Associated Press

DOGE associate is made acting head of foreign assistance at the State Department, a US official says

By ELLEN KNICKMEYER and MATTHEW LEE
Updated 2:00 PM EDT April 15, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has expanded the power of adviser Elon Musk’s government-cutting team over the State Department, making a Musk lieutenant acting head of foreign assistance.

A senior U.S. official confirmed the new job for Jeremy Lewin, an associate of the Department of Government Efficiency earlier appointed to help finish dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development. The official was not authorized to comment publicly on a personnel matter and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing to greatly reduce what in 2024 was $52 billion in humanitarian, health and development programs overseas by the State Department and USAID. Lewin’s appointment gives Musk’s team, which has worked with the Republican administration to make deep cuts to government programs and services, one of its highest formal positions in the federal government.

Lewin’s appointment follows the departure of a Trump political appointee, Pete Marocco, as the administration’s head of foreign assistance. State officials credited Marocco with helping oversee the elimination of staff, programs and funding at USAID. Marocco reportedly clashed with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others in the administration and Congress.

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