In a move that has sparked intense debate and raised concerns about potential legal ramifications, senior officials at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have reportedly ordered the destruction of sensitive documents, according to an internal email cited by Politico. The directive, which instructs remaining staff to shred records at USAID’s former headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC, has captured attention for its potential violation of federal record-keeping laws and its connection to ongoing controversies surrounding the agency’s operations.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the primary channel for US government aid abroad, has long been a target of criticism from both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who serves as the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Both figures have accused USAID of mismanagement, wasteful spending, and corruption, using the agency as a symbol of what they describe as the inefficiency and bloat of the federal government. Musk, in particular, has frequently called the agency a “criminal organization” and has been vocal about his belief that USAID misuses taxpayer money.

According to the leaked email, Acting Executive Secretary Erica Carr directed the remaining USAID staff to convene for an “all-day” document shredding operation at the Ronald Reagan Building. The building is being vacated as part of broader restructuring efforts within the federal government, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently leased significant office space in the facility. Carr’s instructions emphasized that staff should prioritize shredding documents and use “burn bags” sparingly for highly sensitive........

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