Court Battle Over USAID Document Destruction Unfolds

A USAID official ordered employees to shred records, spurring unions to file a court motion against the destruction, citing potential law violations and risks to their case against Trump’s agency dismantlement. Despite White House claims of 'fake news,' plaintiffs seek a temporary restraining order to halt record shredding.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) faces legal action after an official ordered mass shredding of records. Government employee unions filed a court motion on Tuesday to stop the destruction, arguing it breaches federal law and threatens evidence in an ongoing lawsuit.

Unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, allege the directive from acting executive secretary Erica Carr to shred documents and prepare burn bags is part of a larger issue under the Trump administration. They claim this rapid destruction violates record-keeping laws and could impact their efforts to restore USAID operations after significant cutbacks.

In contrast, the White House, through Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly, dismisses the reports as 'fake news,' asserting that the documents are old, with originals preserved on classified systems. Nonetheless, legal proceedings continue with a judge demanding updates on the situation by Wednesday morning.

(With inputs from agencies.)