The Trump administration has initiated significant budget reductions in government-backed pro-democracy broadcast initiatives, most notably affecting Voice of America (VOA). This decision was executed alongside directives that leave employees of these agencies on temporary leave.
Following the latest Congressional funding approval, President Donald Trump instructed his administration to curtail the operations of certain agencies, bringing them down to their legally mandated minimum. Among those affected is the U.S. Agency for Global Media, under which Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Marti, and other services operate.
Kari Lake, recently appointed as a senior adviser to the agency by Trump, urged employees via social media to monitor their emails, coinciding with the issuance of notices placing VOA staff on paid administrative leave. Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, emphasized that this is the first instance in 83 years that the outlet faces such operational cessation. He confirmed that nearly all of their 1300-member workforce is affected.
Abramowitz stressed VOA’s mission of fostering global democracy by conveying balanced news to regions experiencing oppressive governance. The unexpected nature of these cuts was echoed by an anonymous reporter, while Reporters Without Borders condemned the decision, urging U.S. authorities to rectify it.
The Agency for Global Media has also discontinued grants for Radio Free Asia, impacting various regional news services that cater to countries like China, North Korea, and Russia. Stephen Capus, head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, criticized these actions, marking them as a strategic win for adversarial states.
The reach of these media networks extends to approximately 427 million people worldwide, thereby serving as pivotal components of U.S. post-Cold War influence efforts. These cuts to longstanding bipartisan-supported services indicate a considerable challenge. Among the former leadership of Voice of America is Dick Carlson, known for being Tucker Carlson’s father.
Thomas Kent, a past leader of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, cautioned that without these outlets, the U.S.’s international messaging could be shaped by its critics or rival governments. He highlighted the importance of this media presence in asserting a positive global image.
In a social media video, Lake justified the budget cuts, expressing her focus on minimizing expenses and eliminating agency contracts deemed non-essential. She pointed out the hefty expense of a VOA-leased building as a potential area for budgetary reduction.
In the wake of these drastic measures, employees were ordered to suspend access to Agency for Global Media resources and to return company-provided equipment, including communication devices and computers. There remains uncertainty about future engagement and role continuations.
The current administration had already begun asserting more control over VOA, eliminating material agreements with independent news outlets and influencing press coverage standards, including terminating involvement with The Associated Press.
Trump’s reduction initiative extends to other lesser-known entities, such as the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, among others.
