The White House on Tuesday evening responded to an email from a senior USAID official ordering remaining staffers to destroy documents.
The document shredding took place at the Ronald Reagan Building Tuesday.
Thousands of USAID workers were placed on administrative leave so the building is being cleared out.
“Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break,” the email from USAID’s acting executive director, Erica Carr said.
“The only labeling required on the burn bags are the words “SECRET” and “USAID/(B/IO)” in dark sharpie if possible,” the email said.
The email was obtained by Propublica, Politico and CBS News.
NEWS: USAID staff have been instructed to clear out classified safes and personnel docs, per an email obtained by @CBSNews.
“Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break,” the email reads. pic.twitter.com/h7xS6y7Wsv
— Sara Cook (@saraecook) March 11, 2025
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said it’s “more fake news hysteria.”
“The USAID building will soon be occupied by CBP,” Anna Kelly said.
“This was sent to roughly three dozen employees. The documents involved were old, mostly courtesy content (content from other agencies), and the originals still exist on classified computer systems,” she said.
“More fake news hysteria!” she added.
The USAID building will soon be occupied by CBP.
This was sent to roughly three dozen employees. The documents involved were old, mostly courtesy content (content from other agencies), and the originals still exist on classified computer systems.
More fake news hysteria! https://t.co/MLP84Mvn0t
— Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) March 11, 2025