Controversy Over USAID Document Shredding Sparks Legal Battle

A court filing by government employee unions seeks to block the USAID from shredding a large volume of records, ordered by acting executive secretary Erica Carr. The unions allege the destruction violates federal law and could impede legal actions aiming to reverse USAID's restructuring under Trump.

The U.S. Agency for International Development faces legal action after officials allegedly ordered the shredding of numerous documents. This move prompted government employee unions to file a court motion requesting a halt on these activities, claiming it could interfere with ongoing legal cases against the agency's restructuring.

According to court documents, USAID acting executive secretary Erica Carr instructed staff to prioritize shredding files, leaving burn bags as a contingency. Details on the specific records slated for destruction remain undisclosed, raising concerns over compliance with federal record-keeping laws, as well as preservation of evidence in legal suits.

The unions, supported by multiple organizations, argue that Trump's administration overstepped its authority in downsizing USAID. As the legal contest unfolds, a federal judge has allowed the administration to proceed with some of its plans, despite ongoing resistance in other lawsuits against the government's aid allocation practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)