USAID Official Exercised Sweeping Authority Without Formal Employment Records

WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (OPA) — Jeremy Lewin, a former investment banker and Harvard Law graduate, assumed control over USAID operations on March 18, 2025, following a delegation of power from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During a three-week period ending April 4, Lewin directed the termination of thousands of agency employees and the liquidation of 60 overseas missions. Internal emails reveal that throughout this period, USAID human resources and security departments had no record of his employment, preventing the issuance of a standard identification badge or system access.

Despite his role as deputy administrator of policy and programming, Lewin failed to complete the mandatory OF-306 federal background screening form. HR officials noted in late March that the agency could not lawfully finalize his appointment without these documents. Lewin maintains he was a regular government employee with a valid security clearance held by the State Department, asserting that any confusion regarding his status was resolved once HR was notified of his dual appointment.

Legal experts and former agency staff have raised significant concerns regarding the lack of oversight in these appointments. Don Moynihan, a public policy professor at the University of Michigan, noted that the absence of standard confirmation processes for individuals making life-or-death decisions creates substantial accountability risks. The situation remains a focal point in ongoing litigation, including J. Doe 4 v. U.S. DOGE Service, which challenges the legality of workforce reductions and agency restructuring under the current administration.

While Lewin provided documentation dated March 18, 2025, including an appointment affidavit signed by Rubio, agency HR executives reported they did not receive these delegation documents until late April. As the legal battles continue, the case highlights the tension between the administration’s efficiency mandates and established federal hiring protocols. The State Department has not provided further clarification regarding the specific appointment documents or the administrative procedures followed during the transition.