A senior USAID official sent an email to remaining bureau leaders with guidance on "clearing our classified safes and personnel documents" at the aid agency's Washington, D.C., headquarters on Tuesday, according to a copy of the email obtained by ABC News.
The message urged officials to "shred as many documents first" and to "reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break," according to the email, sent by Erica Carr, the acting executive secretary. "The only labeling required on the burn bags are the words 'SECRET' and 'USAID/(B/IO)' in dark sharpie, if possible."
It was not immediately clear why the message was sent. But current and former USAID officials speculated that it has to do with clearing out office space that is expected to be taken over by Customs and Border Patrol, as Elon Musk announced on X last month.
A person familiar with the agency's work told ABC News that "specialized shredding and burn bags are standard procedures to destroy classified printouts and notes." But the person added that this seems to be a "shoddy process" that might run afoul of the Federal Records Act.
It also remains unclear whether those ordered to destroy these records have the appropriate clearance to review them before determining whether they should be disposed.
"The event will take place all day" on Tuesday, the email read.
-ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman
