SAA Statement on Media Reports Concerning Records Destruction

March 17, 2025—According to multiple news reports, USAID workers have been ordered to destroy or burn records, including classified records. Current reporting indicates conflicting information on whether the agency is in compliance with the Federal Records Act, which governs records from executive branch agencies.

With the many current federal actions targeting the reduction and elimination of federal agencies, the Society of American Archivists notes that such actions increase the risk of non-compliance with the Federal Records Act across federal agencies. Federal statute (44 U.S. Code § 3105) and regulations require agency heads to prevent the unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records. The swift shuttering of USAID raises questions as to the proper disposition of that agency's records, including ensuring permanent records are transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Furthermore, SAA supports all federal staff in their effort to uphold the rules and statutes governing the management of records and archives.

Federal courts have been asked to intervene on this and other White House efforts to undermine records management and archives activities. SAA will continue to monitor these developments.

We encourage SAA members and all who care about the importance of government archives to contact their elected members of Congress with the following key messages:

• Congress must ensure robust accountability of executive branch agencies through strengthened federal records laws.
• Agency heads must comply with all aspects of the Federal Records Act.
• NARA must be staffed and empowered to monitor and respond to all reports of unauthorized disposition of federal records.

SAA has created a list of resources for federal workers available on the SAA website Resources for Federal Workers.