American Oversight Sues Trump Administration for Directing Agency Staff to Shred and Burn Government Records
American Oversight filed suit against government for violating the Federal Records Act and other transparency laws following reports staff were instructed to destroy documents.
On Tuesday, following reports that staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been directed to shred and burn classified and personnel documents, American Oversight filed suit against USAID, the National Archives, and Marco Rubio (as acting USAID administrator and acting archivist) for violating the Federal Records Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Freedom of Information Act by failing to preserve agency records from destruction and deleting key records from its website.
The lawsuit follows American Oversight’s letters last month to USAID, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the State Department regarding the potential unlawful destruction or removal of USAID records in violation of the Federal Records Act after the agency’s website was pulled down and staff reportedly lost email access overnight. Earlier on Tuesday, American Oversight alerted Rubio to USAID’s document shredding and demanded he “take immediate action to halt the ongoing destruction of records at USAID, prevent further destruction, and initiate an action through the Attorney General to recover any records that were unlawfully removed.” The lawsuit seeks an injunction to prevent further destruction, ensure proper recordkeeping, and recover unlawfully removed records.
“President Trump has empowered an unelected billionaire to launch a ruthless attack on an agency that provides life-saving services worldwide, including food assistance and health care for those in desperate need. This attack on USAID is not just an assault on humanitarian relief, it’s a reckless abuse of executive power that disregards both the rule of law and America’s global leadership,” said American Oversight Interim Executive Director Chioma Chukwu. “The reported destruction of classified and personnel records at USAID is a clear attempt to erase history and obstruct accountability. Transparency and the rule of law are not optional. USAID’s work has saved lives for decades, and no one in this administration has the right to cover its tracks by shredding records or impeding oversight. That’s why American Oversight is taking legal action — to expose this unlawful power grab, protect vital public records, and hold those responsible accountable.”
Also last month, American Oversight launched an investigation into Trump’s shutdown of USAID. American Oversight filed multiple FOIA requests, demanding any communication from USAID that would shed light on all efforts to dismantle the agency. The FOIA requests also seek to uncover any communication between USAID officials and the White House, Congress, or Secretary of State Marco Rubio.