U.S.A.I.D. Under Fire for Document Destruction Amid Controversial Reforms

As U.S.A.I.D. undergoes significant changes, the potential loss of critical records raises alarms among diplomats and watchdogs.

In a striking move that raises serious legal and ethical questions, a senior official at the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.) has ordered employees to shred or burn classified and personnel documents. This directive was issued via an email from Erica Y. Carr, the acting executive secretary, as a part of ongoing reforms under the Trump administration, which has been widely criticized for dismantling the agency.

The email instructed staff members to clear out classified safes and file documents, stressing the importance of shredding as the first line of action. Carr advised using burn bags only when shredders were unavailable or required breaks, indicating a potentially hurried process as employees grapple with significant staffing changes including mass layoffs, paid leaves, and remote work protocols.

A major concern surrounding this decision is the potential violation of the Federal Records Act of 1950, which mandates government officials to seek permission from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) before destroying any documents. Of particular interest are the records that may hold relevance to active court cases concerning the Trump administration's handling of U.S.A.I.D., especially regarding mass firings and halted foreign aid funding.

Reactions from the American Foreign Service Association, a diplomat’s union involved in ongoing litigation against U.S.A.I.D., have been swift. In a statement released Tuesday, the union expressed alarm at the agency's directive to eliminate sensitive documents that could be crucial in court proceedings related to the abrupt terminations and grant suspensions affecting former employees.

Both the State Department and representatives from U.S.A.I.D. declined to comment when prompted, further amplifying concerns regarding transparency and accountability amid the agency's controversial restructuring efforts. The unfolding situation raises urgent questions about the preservation of governmental records and the protection of employee rights within the evolving landscape of U.S. foreign aid policy.