Washington, DC – Today, Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the unlawful destruction of federal records at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) amid an unprecedented shutdown effort. ProPublica reports have revealed internal directives ordering the shredding and burning of classified and personnel records, a clear violation of federal law that threatens not only transparency but also the future ability to reconstitute the agency.

“This news report, if true, is an outrageous assault on transparency, democracy, and the rule of law. The mass destruction of federal records is not just unlawful—it’s a blatant and calculated attempt to obstruct accountability and cripple the ability to restore USAID’s vital mission as we pursue every legal option,” said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward. “Federal records belong to the American people, not to any administration looking to cover its tracks. We are taking immediate legal action to stop this reckless purge before irreparable damage is done to an institution that plays a critical role in global stability and humanitarian aid.”

The filing argues that the destruction of classified and personnel documents violates federal records retention laws, and could cause irreparable harm by making it impossible to reconstruct the agency’s operations, should the court order to do so.

“The reports that the Administration is rapidly shredding and burning documents should be deeply disturbing to anyone who cares about the rule of law,” said Lauren Bateman of Public Citizen Litigation Group. “The government has record preservation obligations that do not change depending on the whims of those in charge.”

Last night, Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group filed a motion for summary judgment in this case, to block the Trump administration from shutting down USAID on behalf of American Foreign Service Association, American Federation of Government Employees, and Oxfam America.

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