The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under fire for allegedly instructing federal employees to destroy classified documents. This latest development has added to the ongoing controversies surrounding the agency since President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to reports, a senior USAID official sent out a memo directing employees to shred or burn the documents, sparking concerns about the legality and transparency of the agency’s actions. The email, obtained by Politico, advised employees to prioritize shredding documents and resort to burning them only when the shredder is unavailable or needs a break.
Legal expert Hans von Spakovsky from the conservative Heritage Foundation raised alarm over the situation, stating that the employees involved could be committing felonies under 18 USC 1519 by destroying government documents. He called for criminal prosecution, particularly targeting the acting director of USAID.
In response to the controversy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the termination of 83% of USAID contracts. However, a federal judge has restricted the government’s ability to halt payments for some contracts, leading to legal uncertainties as the issue progresses through the courts.
Rubio revealed plans to transfer the administration of the remaining 18% of programs (approximately 1000) to be handled more effectively under the State Department in consultation with Congress. The fate of these programs remains uncertain as the situation unfolds.
Overall, the developments at USAID have raised serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and adherence to legal standards within the agency. The controversy surrounding the destruction of classified documents highlights the need for thorough oversight and review of government operations to ensure compliance with the law and ethical standards.
