A Troubling Directive
A senior official at USAID ordered staff to gather at the agency’s former headquarters in Washington to destroy sensitive documents. The email from acting executive director Erica Carr instructed staff to shred as many materials as possible. If shredders became unavailable, they were to use burn bags labeled “SECRET” and “USAID/B/IO/” with a dark Sharpie.
The email did not explain why the destruction was necessary. However, the agency is relocating after mass layoffs. Customs and Border Protection plans to move into the vacated space, which might have disrupted regular document disposal processes.
Potential Legal Violations
Destroying sensitive government records on this scale raises serious legal and ethical questions. The materials included classified information and personnel documents, which may need to be preserved for legal or historical reasons. Unauthorized destruction of federal records can be a felony. If these documents contained evidence of wrongdoing, their destruction could even be considered obstruction of justice or treason.
A former USAID staffer confirmed the authenticity of the email. They described the event as unprecedented, saying that document destruction normally follows strict procedures. “Security sometimes checks safes and tells staff to clear outdated material, but this was different,” they said.
Political Fallout and Accusations
The Trump administration’s handling of USAID has been controversial. The agency, once managing a $40 billion annual budget with 10,000 employees, is being dismantled. Most personnel have been laid off or placed on leave. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced that over 80% of USAID’s programs are canceled. The remaining programs will now be controlled by the State Department.
Efforts to access USAID’s secure computer systems last month also sparked controversy. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) attempted to retrieve employee security clearance data. The move led to the suspension of two security staff members. A DOGE spokesperson denied improper access to classified material.
White House Downplays Concerns
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly dismissed concerns over the document purge. She claimed on social media that the materials were old, mostly from other agencies, and that the originals still exist in classified systems. “More fake news hysteria!” she wrote.
However, legal experts argue that destroying physical copies of classified documents without proper authorization remains a serious issue. Even if digital copies exist, the destruction of paper records could hinder investigations, oversight, and historical transparency.
The Future of USAID
USAID staff are fighting the agency’s dismantling in court, but results have been mixed. The agency’s collapse reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration and tech mogul Elon Musk to shrink the federal workforce. Critics argue that gutting USAID undermines U.S. global influence and humanitarian efforts.
The destruction of sensitive documents only adds to the concerns. Without transparency, accountability suffers. If classified records are improperly handled, national security risks increase. The legal and political fallout from this event may only be beginning.
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