Legal Battle Erupts as USAID Ordered to Destroy Documents Amid Agency Dismantling
USAID staff directed to shred and burn documents, prompting legal action over potential evidence destruction during agency cuts under the Trump administration.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $3/month or $30/year, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get Started
The agency has terminated thousands of employees and contracts, leaving only a few hundred staffers on the job and shutting down the agency’s headquarters.
Court steps in as USAID workers ordered to shred or burn documents - Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The email sent by Carr did not contain some of the details traditionally found in a records disposal request, raising concerns about procedure, experts told the BBC.
USAID staff told to shred and burn classified documents
BBC News·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The Trump administration has been taking drastic measures to dismantle USAID, as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cited that the agency accounts for $65 billion in federal savings.
Shredding Documents And Burning Bags: USAID Employees Receive Surprising Directive
Daily Caller·1M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
The directive to destroy classified records came a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to cancel 83% of USAID programs and move the remaining work to "be administered more effectively under the State Department."
As USAID clears out, official directs employees to use shredders, burn bags on documents
ABC News·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The request comes amid the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle USAID, which has included cutting off most federal funding, terminating 83 percent of humanitarian and development programs, reducing staff to a few hundred, and shutting down the agency's Washington headquarters.
Judge weighs USAID classified document destruction amid Trump shutdown
Newsweek·1M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.As the Trump administration has been dismantling USAID, cutting off most federal funding and terminating 83% of humanitarian and development programs abroad, pulling all but a few hundred staffers off the job, and shutting down the agency’s Washington headquarters.
Court asked to intervene after email tells USAID workers to destroy classified documents
Associated Press·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The documents being ordered destroyed could be evidence for multiple court filings against the Trump administration and the government aid agency.
USAID staff instructed to clear out classified safes and shred or burn documents
CBS News·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The Trump administration has targeted USAID, slashing the agency’s workforce.
USAID employees told to burn or shred classified documents
NBC News·1M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
The Trump administration has ordered USAID staff to shred and burn documents, raising alarms among unions and legal challenges regarding potential violations of federal records laws. Acting Executive Secretary Erica Carr's email instructing employees on document disposal detailed procedures for destruction, adding to concerns of evidence loss amid a significant reduction in agency operations. Lawmakers and union representatives have pushed back, questioning compliance with the Federal Records Act and the legal implications of document destruction during ongoing litigation against the administration's dismantling of the agency. A federal judge is set to evaluate motions to halt the action.
Perspectives
The Trump administration is dismantling USAID and USAIDnating a majority of its programs, which has raised alarms among current and former officials, as well as legal challenges against these actions.
A directive to shred and burn documents at USAID has sparked concerns over compliaUSAIDith the Federal Records Act, especially in light of ongoing litigation regarding the agency's dismantling.
The administration claims that the destruction process is standard and involves outdated documents, yet thiFederal Records Acted by various groups who argue it may undermine legal processes and continuity of aid operations.
FAQs
History
- 1M