A significant reduction in USAID programs, led by Secretary Rubio, has been marred by allegations of illegal document destruction, sparking widespread concern about transparency and accountability within the agency.
Sudden Termination of USAID Programs Triggers Document Destruction Controversy
Sudden Termination of USAID Programs Triggers Document Destruction Controversy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's cuts to USAID raise alarm over classified document shredding.
After Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a staggering 83% cut to USAID programs, a controversial memo has emerged instructing remaining employees to destroy classified documents, prompting fears about potential information being concealed.
Rubio's decision to eliminate about 5,200 USAID contracts followed a comprehensive six-week review that unveiled billions in taxpayer waste and a detrimental impact on U.S. national interests. The remaining 1,000 initiatives will shift to the State Department, marking a transformative shakeup in governmental operations.
However, instead of fostering transparency, the directives to shred classified files and personnel documents have alarmed many. An email obtained by Politico instructed employees to "Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break."
Legal experts note that destroying classified federal records may violate the Federal Records Act, yet USAID has remained silent about the swift and extensive purge of documents. With Customs and Border Protection preparing to occupy the Ronald Reagan Building, suspicions arise that USAID is hastily attempting to erase its tracks before the transition occurs.
Rubio’s aggressive cuts are hailed as a victory for taxpayers keen on reducing wasteful spending; however, the rushed destruction of documents raises the unsettling question of what sensitive information was deemed necessary to eliminate so rapidly.
Rubio's decision to eliminate about 5,200 USAID contracts followed a comprehensive six-week review that unveiled billions in taxpayer waste and a detrimental impact on U.S. national interests. The remaining 1,000 initiatives will shift to the State Department, marking a transformative shakeup in governmental operations.
However, instead of fostering transparency, the directives to shred classified files and personnel documents have alarmed many. An email obtained by Politico instructed employees to "Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break."
Legal experts note that destroying classified federal records may violate the Federal Records Act, yet USAID has remained silent about the swift and extensive purge of documents. With Customs and Border Protection preparing to occupy the Ronald Reagan Building, suspicions arise that USAID is hastily attempting to erase its tracks before the transition occurs.
Rubio’s aggressive cuts are hailed as a victory for taxpayers keen on reducing wasteful spending; however, the rushed destruction of documents raises the unsettling question of what sensitive information was deemed necessary to eliminate so rapidly.
