The US Agency for International Development (USAID) employees are facing a startling directive: they must destroy classified documents and personnel files. This order has raised eyebrows among staff and labor groups as the agency undergoes significant changes.
In an email from Acting Executive Secretary Erica Y Carr, staff were praised for their efforts in cleaning out classified safes in a Washington D.C. office. They were also invited to participate in a disposal event where they would shred and burn documents. Carr instructed employees to use the shredder as much as possible and to save the burn bags for later use.
Typically, burn bags are sealed and taken to a secure place for incineration. Employees were advised not to overload these bags and to label them clearly with “SECRET” and “USAID (B/IO)”, which stands for bureau or independent office.
Concerns arose when the union representing USAID staff, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), expressed alarm at the document shredding. Union spokesperson Nikki Gamer mentioned that these documents might be relevant to ongoing legal issues regarding the termination of USAID employees and the halt of grants.
Since the Trump administration came into power, lawsuits have surfaced over the dismantling of USAID. Unions have challenged the administration’s authority to freeze funds and shut down parts of the agency, which some view as an overreach of power. Federal law emphasizes the importance of preserving government records to ensure transparency and accountability.
AFSA cautioned that destroying federal records unlawfully could lead to serious legal repercussions for those involved. While government agencies do occasionally dispose of classified documents, there are strict protocols in place to guide the process.
Experts have noted that Carr’s email lacked the customary details needed for proper record disposal protocols. Kel McClanahan, head of the National Security Counselors, filed a complaint urging the National Archives and Records Administration to intervene and prevent record destruction. The loss of personnel files could complicate benefits for federal employees as they might struggle to verify their employment history.
USAID has been a target of the Department of Government Efficiency, established by the Trump administration to eliminate perceived waste and fraud. This overhaul led to thousands of layoffs and left many employees in a state of uncertainty regarding their future.
Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was named the acting head of USAID, with Pete Marocco overseeing daily operations. The administration also announced a temporary halt on foreign aid, which included USAID funds, prompting concern in the international development community.
On social media, Rubio shared that eighty-three percent of USAID programs are being canceled, stating that many contracts did not serve the nation’s interests. Only about 1,000 grants will remain under the oversight of the State Department.
