Scoop: USAID staff instructed to shred and burn classified documents

Remaining staff members of the U.S. Agency for International Development were instructed to shred and burn classified and personnel documents at the agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order to stop the destruction of federal records. "Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break,” according to an email — which Devex obtained — written by Erica Y. Carr, the acting executive secretary of USAID. She said it was an “all day” event starting Tuesday morning. The staffers were instructed to label the burn bags with the words “SECRET” and “USAID/B/IO” — which indicates the bureau or office — in dark Sharpie markers. “The mass destruction of federal records is not just unlawful — it’s a blatant and calculated attempt to obstruct accountability and cripple the ability to restore USAID’s vital mission as we pursue every legal option,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, in a statement. “Federal records belong to the American people, not to any administration looking to cover its tracks.” A spokesperson for the American Foreign Service Association, or AFSA, the union for foreign service officers at USAID, told Devex they are “alarmed by reports that USAID has directed the destruction of classified and sensitive documents that may be relevant to ongoing litigation regarding the termination of USAID employees and the cessation of USAID grants.” The spokesperson said that the Federal Records Act of 1950 and its implementing regulations “establish strict requirements for the retention of official records, particularly those that may be relevant to legal proceedings.” “Furthermore, the unlawful destruction of federal records could carry serious legal consequences for anyone directed to act in violation of the law,” the spokesperson added. Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, posted on the social media platform X that the email was sent to roughly three dozen employees. “The documents involved were old, mostly courtesy content (content from other agencies), and the originals still exist on classified computer systems.” She added that USAID’s old headquarters, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, will soon be occupied by Customs and Border Protection. A State Department spokesperson told Devex that this is part of a “decommissioning” effort of the former USAID headquarters. “The review, disposition, and storage of documents is taking place in accordance with the Federal Records Act of 1950, law and policy governing protection of classified information, and applicable records disposition schedules,” the spokesperson said, adding that all staff managing the process have “appropriate level clearances” and have received previous records management training. This instruction comes in the wake of a widespread culling of the agency's staff; closure of its headquarters; recall of its staff members stationed abroad; cancellation of 5,200 of its projects; move of about 1,000 remaining projects under the U.S. State Department; and failures to implement the Trump administration’s waiver system for lifesaving programs because USAID’s payment system was inaccessible. Many implementing partners have not been paid for work they’ve already done and were forced to lay off and furlough staff. The Trump administration is also facing a series of lawsuits — including from AFSA — challenging its dismantling of USAID and foreign aid more broadly. On Monday, a federal judge ordered it — once again — to pay USAID partners for billions of dollars in foreign aid work completed before Feb. 13. “I do not see how this follows protocol. There are a lot of rules around documents. Especially classified. And given the court cases, etc.," a USAID staff member, who was put on administrative leave, told Devex. Update, March 11, 12, and 13, 2025: This article has been updated with statements from the American Foreign Service Association, the U.S. Department of State, and Anna Kelly, as well as details on the motion for an emergency temporary restraining order.