USAID Under Fire: Document Destruction Amidst Major Program Cuts Raises Alarm**

The recent announcement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to cut 83% of USAID programs has unleashed a storm of controversy, particularly after memos surfaced instructing staff to shred classified documents. Legal experts warn against the legality of such actions, leaving questions about transparency and accountability at the agency.**

After Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement about dismantling 83% of USAID programs, a controversial memo has come to light instructing remaining personnel to destroy classified documents, stirring fears of a cover-up.

In a significant shakeup, Rubio axed over 5,200 USAID contracts following an extensive review that indicated billions in taxpayer funds had been squandered or counterproductive to U.S. interests. The remaining programs—approximately 1,000—will be transitioned to the State Department in what has been described as a transformative reorganization.

However, recent communications revealed by Politico suggest a troubling trend toward opaqueness, as USAID employees received directives to shred sensitive files from their previous headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building. An email captured essential instructions reading: "Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break.”

Legal analysts have highlighted the potential illegality of obliterating classified federal documents, referencing the Federal Records Act, yet there has been no clarification offered by the agency surrounding this unexpected document purge. As Customs and Border Protection prepares to occupy the building, the urgency appears linked to a desperate attempt by USAID to erase its past.

While Rubio’s initiative to cut waste is hailed as a victory for taxpayers, this rapid document destruction evokes suspicions regarding the severity of issues at USAID—now the pressing inquiry: What was contained in those files that warranted such an expedited erasure?