Rights groups challenge document destruction at USAID

In Washington, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under scrutiny due to a directive issued by Acting Executive Secretary Erica Carr. Employees were instructed via email to clear out classified safes and shred or burn personnel documents, with the motive attributed to adjustments as the agency transitions office spaces to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Legal organizations, including Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group, have swiftly responded by filing a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order to halt what they described as unlawful destruction of federal records, emphasizing the implications concerning the Federal Records Act. On the same day that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced drastic cuts to USAID programs—cancelling approximately 83% of its initiatives—the content of Carr's email was publicly disclosed. The directive indicated a two-tiered approach: shredding documents primarily and using burn bags only when shredders were unavailable, which raised alarms regarding compliance with federal records preservation laws. Critics, including some former USAID officials and various government employee unions, have highlighted potential risks involved in the destruction of documents that could serve as evidence in ongoing litigation related to workforce terminations and grants cessation. The directive has sparked outrage not only for its timing with the program cuts but also due to the allegations surrounding document destruction practices of the Trump administration, which has previously faced challenges regarding record-keeping. Observers expressed concern that the emailing instructions may signify a hasty attempt to erase critical documentation related to governmental operations and decisions made during the period, further questioning the integrity of the process as workers faced mass layoffs and rapid administrative changes. Moreover, surrounding commentary from various legal experts and watchdog organizations emphasized that such actions undermine transparency in government. They insisted that the records being destroyed could heavily influence the functioning of the agency and its ability to fulfill its responsibilities. As a result, the judges have set deadlines for briefs concerning this alarming situation, indicating that the discussion surrounding accountability and preservation of government records is set to continue.