democrats in a government office frantically shredding stacks of top-secret documents
Subject: Immediate Investigation into Unauthorized Destruction of Federal Documents by USAID Official
To: [Appropriate Investigative Unit]
From: [Prosecuting Attorney’s Name]
Date: March 12, 2025
Overview:
On March 11, 2025, an email surfaced from Erica Carr, the acting executive director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), instructing remaining staff to destroy documents, including classified materials. This directive raises serious legal concerns regarding potential violations of federal records management laws and possible obstruction of justice.
Details of the Incident:
- Directive Issued: Erica Carr’s email instructed staff to “shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break.” She further specified labeling burn bags with “SECRET” and “USAID/(B/IO)” using a dark sharpie.
- Context: This order coincides with the placement of thousands of USAID workers on administrative leave and the subsequent clearing out of the Ronald Reagan Building.
- Public Disclosure: The email was obtained and reported by multiple news outlets, including ProPublica, Politico, and CBS News.
White House Response:
Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly dismissed concerns, stating that the directive was sent to approximately three dozen employees and pertained to old documents, primarily courtesy content from other agencies. She emphasized that original documents remain on classified computer systems and labeled the incident as “more fake news hysteria.”
Legal Implications:
The intentional destruction of federal records, especially those classified, without proper authorization, may constitute violations of:
- Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 31): Mandates the preservation of federal records.
- 18 U.S.C. § 2071: Prohibits willful and unlawful destruction of federal records.
- Obstruction of Justice (18 U.S.C. § 1519): Addresses the destruction of documents to impede investigations.
Recommended Actions:
- Immediate Investigation: Launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the directive, including the rationale behind the order and the nature of the documents targeted for destruction.
- Preservation Order: Issue a directive to halt any further destruction of documents within USAID until the investigation concludes.
- Forensic Audit: Conduct a comprehensive audit to determine which documents were destroyed and assess potential impacts on ongoing or future investigations.
- Interview Key Personnel: Obtain statements from Erica Carr and other relevant officials to understand the intent and authorization behind the directive.
- Assess White House Involvement: Evaluate the White House’s response and any involvement to ensure transparency and accountability.
Conclusion:
The destruction of federal documents, particularly those that are classified, is a grave matter with significant legal ramifications. An immediate and thorough investigation is imperative to uphold the integrity of federal record-keeping and ensure compliance with the law.
Attachments:
- Copy of Erica Carr’s email directive.
- Reports from ProPublica, Politico, and CBS News.
- White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly’s public statements.
[Prosecuting Attorney’s Name]
[Title]
[Contact Information]
Referenced and cited links:
- USAID official tells remaining staffers: Shred and burn all your documents
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/11/usaid-official-tells-remaining-staffers-shred-and-burn-all-your-documents-00224404 - Court asked to intervene after email tells USAID workers to destroy classified documents
https://apnews.com/article/f042a51c0a9f74c96b0259b51a0d4a83 - USAID employees ordered to shred records, court filing says
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/usaid-employees-ordered-shred-records-court-filing-says-2025-03-11 - USAID staffers ordered to shred, burn classified documents as agency dismantled by Trump: official
https://nypost.com/2025/03/12/us-news/usaid-staffers-ordered-to-shred-burn-classified-documents - USAID staff instructed to clear out classified safes and shred or burn documents
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usaid-staff-instructed-to-shred-or-burn-classified-safe-documents - Playbook: It’s a DOGE-eat-DOGE world
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2025/01/19/its-a-doge-eat-doge-world-00199175 - Judge orders sweeping restriction on DOGE access to sensitive Treasury payment systems
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/08/judge-blocks-doge-team-treasury-department-elon-musk-00203248 - Musk on USAID: ‘Time for it to die’
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/02/musk-usaid-time-00201987 - DOGE’s access to federal data is ‘an absolute nightmare,’ legal experts warn
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/03/doge-treasury-usaid-donald-trump-011538 - Trump puts USAID staff around the world on leave
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/04/trump-usaid-staff-on-leave-00202546 - Mass layoffs, court challenges and buyouts: Making sense of Trump’s plans to shrink the federal workforce
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/14/trump-federal-worker-layoffs-explainer-018912
