The White House’s Order to Shred: A Closer Look
The drama unfolded Tuesday night. The White House fired back after an email from a top USAID official ordered remaining staffers to destroy documents. It’s messy, and it’s getting rough.
Document shredding kicked off at the Ronald Reagan Building. Thousands of USAID workers were placed on administrative leave while the building gets cleared out.
An email from USAID’s acting executive director, Erica Carr, laid out the plan. It read: “Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break,” and later added, “The only labeling required on the burn bags are the words “SECRET” and “USAID/(B/IO)” in dark sharpie if possible,” exactly as it was sent.
The response from the White House came fast and furious. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly dismissed the uproar as “more fake news hysteria.” She also mentioned that “The USAID building will soon be occupied by CBP.”
According to Kelly, the email was only sent to about three dozen employees. She emphasized that the documents in question were old and mostly courtesy content – the originals still sit safe on classified computer systems. And then she doubled down with a clear message: “More fake news hysteria!”
This isn’t just bureaucratic cleanup; it’s a political power move. Critics see it as a deliberate step to downplay concerns by limiting access to documents. It’s a bold play, and the language leaves no room for sugarcoating. The facts are staring us in the face.
The whole episode is a reminder that in Washington, actions speak loud and clear. Whether you call it routine or a cover-up, the message is out there – documents are gone, and the story is far from over.
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