In a startling development, staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have received directives to shred and burn classified documents and personnel files, raising serious concerns among employees and labor groups. The order, communicated through an email from Acting Executive Secretary Erica Y Carr, has ignited fears regarding the agency’s ongoing dismantling under the Trump administration.
The email thanked employees for clearing out classified safes and instructed them to participate in a disposal event, emphasizing the need to shred documents first and reserve burn bags for when shredders were unavailable. It also provided specific labeling instructions for the burn bags, which are typically sealed and taken to secure sites for incineration.
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), which represents USAID staff, has expressed alarm over the potential implications of this document destruction. The union highlighted that such records may be significant for ongoing litigation related to the termination of USAID employees and the cessation of grants. The destruction of federal records is not only a violation of federal law but could also lead to serious legal consequences for those involved.
Experts have raised concerns about the proper procedures typically required for document disposal, as the email lacked essential details traditionally included in disposal requests. Observers noted that the lack of guidance on which records could be destroyed raises serious questions about adherence to the Federal Records Act of 1950, which mandates the preservation of government records.
As USAID undergoes significant cuts—reportedly cancelling 83% of its programs—the ramifications of this document destruction could extend beyond legal issues, potentially complicating the verification of employment benefits for federal employees.
This situation highlights the ongoing tumult within USAID, one of the earliest targets of the Department of Government Efficiency established by the Trump administration. The agency’s drastic changes have left many employees in limbo, uncertain of their roles and futures.
The developments surrounding the destruction of classified documents at USAID have prompted calls for immediate action from oversight bodies, amid fears that crucial records may be permanently lost. The consequences of these actions could resonate well beyond the agency, impacting transparency and accountability within the federal government.
For further updates on this evolving story, stay tuned to Newspot Nigeria.
-ABC News
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