A senior U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) official ordered employees to shred or burn classified and personnel documents at the agency’s former Washington headquarters on Tuesday, according to an internal email. The directive from acting executive director Erica Carr did not provide a reason for the destruction.
Following the order, unions representing USAID employees filed for an emergency court injunction, arguing the move violated the Federal Records Act and could erase critical evidence in legal challenges to the agency’s closure. A federal judge issued a temporary block on the destruction, setting a Wednesday deadline for further legal filings.
The Trump administration has shut down most USAID operations, canceling 83% of its contracts and laying off thousands of employees. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the cuts, while White House officials downplayed the document destruction, calling concerns “fake news hysteria.”
Democrats in Congress are demanding answers, alleging the administration is attempting to erase records of wrongdoing.
Sources:
- Washington Examiner – MBFC Rating
- CBS News – MBFC Rating
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