A USAID contractors’ union on Tuesday urged a federal judge to stop the destruction of classified documents after an internal email instructed staff to shred and burn records as the Trump administration dismantles the agency.
Judge Carl Nichols has given both sides until Wednesday morning to submit arguments. The union, Personal Services Contractor Association, represents thousands of USAID contractors who were recently fired or furloughed. The group is concerned that the destruction of documents could erase key evidence related to legal challenges against USAID’s shutdown.
The email, bearing the name of acting executive secretary Erica Carr, was sent to key personnel. It thanked staff for helping “clear classified safes and personnel documents” at USAID’s Washington headquarters, reported Associated Press. Employees were told to prioritise shredding but use burn bags if shredders became overloaded. Staffers were also told to write “secret” on the bag with a marker.

The Trump administration has been shutting down USAID, slashing 83% of its foreign aid programs, firing most staff, and closing the agency’s headquarters. The move has triggered lawsuits over the sudden loss of US foreign assistance.
Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks criticised the administration, saying the rushed destruction of records could be an attempt to hide wrongdoing. The American Foreign Service Association, which represents USAID employees, has also raised concerns that the documents being destroyed might be linked to lawsuits over mass firings and program terminations.
Classified document access has been a contentious issue at USAID. Last month, the Trump administration placed the agency’s top two security officials on leave after they refused to grant access to classified materials for Elon Musk’s government-cutting team.
With most of USAID’s staff already dismissed, only a few employees have access to agency records.