A heated closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill erupted into a fierce debate over the Biden administration’s handling of foreign aid, particularly regarding stalled efforts to resettle Afghan allies who supported U.S. forces.
Peter Marocco, a key Trump-era official spearheading drastic reductions in foreign assistance, found himself in the hot seat as lawmakers from both parties criticized the delays and cuts affecting vulnerable populations.
Protests and Political Tensions Boil Over
The meeting, which was marked by loud protests outside, underscored deep frustrations over foreign aid policy. Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX) described the scene: “All these protesters were banging on the door. It was so loud you could barely hear him.”
One of the most pressing issues discussed was the fate of up to 40,000 Afghan allies stranded in third countries, such as Qatar, due to bureaucratic delays in special immigrant visa processing. These individuals, many of whom worked as translators and support staff for the U.S. military, now face potential deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
McCaul voiced his anger over the stalled refugee flights and humanitarian assistance:
“You have waivers for humanitarian assistance … medications sitting in Houston, all that food rotting, and they get 500,000 metric tons on ships at sea. And the waivers aren’t being implemented.”
Marocco’s Justifications and Lawmakers’ Frustrations
Marocco, the State Department’s head of foreign assistance and deputy administrator at USAID, defended the aid cuts, citing concerns over “fraud, waste, and abuse.” However, his responses left many lawmakers unsatisfied.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the lack of transparency, saying, “He didn’t have a lot of answers. We only had 30 seconds to ask a question. He’s only there for an hour. But when we asked to show the documents … he didn’t have any answers at all.”
Meeks also accused Marocco of bypassing congressional oversight, particularly in the purging of staff at the Inter-American Foundation, which funds economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. “He’s bypassed Congress … money that was directed clear congressional intent—no consultation with us at all. So what he’s doing is unconstitutional,” Meeks added.
A Controversial Figure Under Fire
Marocco has long been a controversial figure. A former Marine, he previously testified about his efforts to slash foreign aid, expressing concerns over whether USAID was properly executing Trump administration directives. Additionally, images purportedly showing Marocco and his wife at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 were circulated by political opponents, though he has denied any wrongdoing and was never charged.
The Human Cost of Aid Cuts
The debate over foreign aid has significant humanitarian implications. Thousands of USAID employees have been placed on leave due to funding cuts, and crucial programs providing food, medical supplies, and refugee assistance are at risk.
Protesters at the meeting held signs reading, “Marocco lies, people with AIDS die,” highlighting concerns that cuts to global health initiatives could lead to devastating consequences.
With new travel restrictions targeting visitors from Pakistan and Afghanistan expected to take effect soon, the situation remains volatile. For Afghan allies left in limbo, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As Congress grapples with the fallout of these aid cuts, the question remains: Will lawmakers be able to restore critical assistance before it’s too late?