Why MAGA is questioning Marco Rubio's loyalty to Trump

18 April

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, as U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt

Peter Marocco, who has played a significant role in the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for several months, was abruptly fired from the Trump administration last week. As the leader of the State Department's Office of Foreign Assistance and later as the deputy administrator of USAID, Marocco was responsible for cutting numerous programs and laying off nearly all of the agency’s 10,000 employees.

But last week, Marocco was terminated and reportedly barred from entering the State Department building after he left a meeting at the White House.

A Politico report published Friday said the news of Marocco’s firing "quickly tore through the Republican Party and MAGA ecosystem, startling President Donald Trump’s loyalists who viewed the aide as part of an elite cohort of administration true believers."

ALSO READ: 'Furious' Marco Rubio clashed with Musk until Trump 'finally intervened' on Rubio’s behalf

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly made the decision to fire Marocco, is being accused by MAGA of undermining their agenda, per the report.

"Yet Marocco’s abrupt termination, which has not been fully reported until now, was not an impulsive dismissal or a case of Rubio going rogue," the piece notes.

Four of the administration allies and officials Politico interviewed, whose names were not disclosed, confirmed that Rubio fired Marocco.

One administration member claimed that Rubio and others sought to remove Marocco because of his aggressive management style and his inability to collaborate well with coworkers. Others noted fundamental disagreements between Rubio and Marocco regarding the restructuring of USAID.

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The political repercussions of the dismissal are still echoing throughout the administration, according to the report. Following his removal, Marocco’s supporters from the MAGA movement have rallied to his side and expressed new doubts about Rubio, questioning his motives for wanting to safeguard USAID and his loyalty to the president.

The ire aimed at Rubio from MAGA activists highlights the persistent conflict between MAGA supporters and the conservatives they see as overly aligned with the "establishment."

The two had a disagreement regarding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)'s drastic cuts to USAID. While Rubio is thought to have a tenuous grip on his influence within the Cabinet, Marocco's removal could jeopardize his standing with some of Trump's loyal supporters, Politico reported.

Last month, a clash was reported between DOGE head Elon Musk and Rubio during a meeting in the White House. Trump was present when tensions between Rubio and Musk came to the surface, and the president was said to have intervened on Rubio's behalf.

ALSO READ: Dems blocked from entering USAID offices: 'Illegal and corrupt'

Alternet reached out to the State Department for comment.

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