A USAID official instructed employees Tuesday on "clearing our classified safes" by shredding documents at the embattled foreign aid agency's Washington headquarters.

“Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break,” the email said. Carr instructed staff to label the burn bags with the words “SECRET” and “USAID/B/IO/” (agency shorthand for “bureau or independent office”) in dark Sharpie.