USAID under fire: Court intervention sought over classified document destruction
A coalition representing USAID contractors has sought judicial action to prevent the elimination of critical documents, raising concerns about compliance with federal records law and the impact on ongoing legal challenges.
Organization advocating contractors at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has called for court intervention to stop the destruction of classified documents after staff were ordered to shred and burn agency records. This request for legal action follows an email instructing employees to dispose of confidential materials, raising concerns over legal and national security implications. The move comes amid the Trump administration’s aggressive restructuring of USAID, which has seen drastic funding cuts and the termination of various humanitarian and development programs.
With lawsuits already piling up due to the agency's downsizing and mass firings, the Personal Services Contractor Association is seeking to preserve crucial evidence that could be relevant to ongoing civic challenges. As the management’s dismantling of the section continues, the focus now shifts to ensuring that any file disposal complies with federal records law and does not obstruct investigations into possible misconduct.
What legal action is being taken over the destruction of classified documents?
The controversy centers around a note that reportedly directed members to remove sensitive papers at USAID's Washington headquarters. The instructions, which included burning classified resources if shredding became too overwhelming, have raised alarm among experts and regime watchdogs. The email specifically instructed staff to label bags containing sensitive records as “secret” before burning them.
The termination of these forms is a direct violation of strict regulations governing the handling and retention of confidentiality materials. Improper handling could result in criminal charges. Critics, including Rep. Gregory Meeks, argue that this action is a deliberate effort to eliminate evidence of wrongdoing. "Haphazardly shredding and burning USAID documents and personnel files seems like a great way to get rid of evidence of wrongdoing when you’re illegally dismantling the agency," Meeks stated, calling for accountability.
How does this move impact ongoing lawsuits and USAID’s restructuring?
The recent orders to destroy shred documents come at a critical time, with multiple lawsuits already challenging the Trump administration’s rapid overhaul of USAID. The Personal Services Contractor Association, representing thousands of workers now furloughed or terminated, has filed a motion to prevent destruction of reports. They argue that the records could be crucial in active legal cases regarding the wrongful termination of employees and the abrupt halting of various U.S. foreign assistance programs.
The controversy has also triggered concerns from the American Foreign Service Association, which represents USAID members. The association warned that the deletion of classified papers could obstruct efforts to understand the full extent of the agency’s downsizing and firings. As the division moves forward with its restructuring plans, the question remains: will the state system step in to halt these actions, or will the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID proceed without further checks?