The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has directed employees to destroy internal documents, including personnel records and classified materials, according to a report.
An email obtained by The Washington Post revealed that a senior USAID official instructed staff at the agency’s Washington, D.C., headquarters to shred or burn sensitive records. The directive, signed by Acting Executive Secretary Erica Y. Carr, has raised concerns among lawmakers, who are warning the administration about legal restrictions on destroying government documents.
This move comes as President Donald Trump’s administration takes sweeping steps to dismantle USAID. Recent actions include canceling the majority of the agency’s contracts, terminating at least 1,600 positions, and placing nearly its entire 10,000-person global workforce on administrative leave.
Trump adviser Elon Musk, a vocal advocate for shutting down USAID, has labeled the agency a “criminal organization” without providing evidence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday that a six-week review of USAID led to the cancellation of 83 percent of its programs, citing financial mismanagement and activities allegedly harmful to U.S. interests.
