The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has instructed its staff in Washington to shred and burn documents, sparking concern and criticism from former employees and organizations representing foreign service workers. The document destruction was scheduled for Tuesday, with an email from the agency’s acting executive secretary, Erica Carr, instructing employees to shred documents first and then use burn bags if needed. This move is seen as unusual and inappropriate by many, as burning or shredding of classified material is typically reserved for emergency situations. The State Department did not immediately comment on the directive.
Legal adviser Harold Koh, who served under the Obama administration, noted that the destruction of documents is not standard procedure and should be preserved for transparency and accountability. The American Foreign Service Association, along with other organizations, filed a motion to block the Trump administration from shutting down USAID, citing concerns about the preservation of government records and the integrity of legal proceedings.
The National Security Counselors expressed concern about the potential violation of the Federal Records Act if documents are being destroyed without proper authorization. The Trump administration has been targeting USAID, reducing its workforce and shutting down programs. This recent directive to shred and burn documents has raised suspicions about the motives behind the destruction and has led to calls for immediate clarity from USAID leadership.
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