Trump ally claims VOA 'not salvageable;' staff put on leave
Hundreds of employees at Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, and other affiliated outlets received an email over the weekend notifying them that they would be prohibited from accessing their offices and should return their...
TroibNews 
Hundreds of employees at Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, and other affiliated outlets received an email over the weekend notifying them that they would be prohibited from accessing their offices and should return their press passes and equipment, as reported by local media on Saturday.
These actions were taken following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, which categorized the U.S. Agency for Global Media as part of "unnecessary" federal bureaucracy.
USAGM, which oversees VOA, has approximately 3,500 employees and a budget of $886 million for 2024, according to its latest report to Congress.
The agency has terminated all contracts for the international broadcasters it finances, including Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, local media sources indicated.
Reports suggest that over 1,300 employees of Voice of America were placed on administrative leave as of Saturday.
Kari Lake, the ex-news anchor and Trump supporter nominated to lead VOA, released a statement calling USAGM "a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer," stating further that it was "not salvageable." Lake emphasized her intention to downsize the agency to the smallest allowable size under the law.
Some Republicans have criticized VOA and similar publicly funded media organizations for alleged bias against conservatives, advocating for their closure as part of efforts led by tech billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to downscale the government.
To date, Musk's Department has reportedly eliminated over 100,000 jobs in the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce, alongside freezing foreign aid and canceling numerous programs and contracts.
In addition to USAGM, Trump's executive order also aimed at agencies such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency, limiting them to "the minimum presence and function required by law."
A statement from the White House asserted that the executive orders "will ensure that taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda," outlining various criticisms of VOA, including claims of left-wing bias.
However, reports suggest that the actions could face significant challenges, as Congress, rather than the president, holds the constitutional power over federal funding.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
These actions were taken following an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, which categorized the U.S. Agency for Global Media as part of "unnecessary" federal bureaucracy.
USAGM, which oversees VOA, has approximately 3,500 employees and a budget of $886 million for 2024, according to its latest report to Congress.
The agency has terminated all contracts for the international broadcasters it finances, including Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, local media sources indicated.
Reports suggest that over 1,300 employees of Voice of America were placed on administrative leave as of Saturday.
Kari Lake, the ex-news anchor and Trump supporter nominated to lead VOA, released a statement calling USAGM "a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer," stating further that it was "not salvageable." Lake emphasized her intention to downsize the agency to the smallest allowable size under the law.
Some Republicans have criticized VOA and similar publicly funded media organizations for alleged bias against conservatives, advocating for their closure as part of efforts led by tech billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to downscale the government.
To date, Musk's Department has reportedly eliminated over 100,000 jobs in the 2.3 million-strong federal civilian workforce, alongside freezing foreign aid and canceling numerous programs and contracts.
In addition to USAGM, Trump's executive order also aimed at agencies such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency, limiting them to "the minimum presence and function required by law."
A statement from the White House asserted that the executive orders "will ensure that taxpayers are no longer on the hook for radical propaganda," outlining various criticisms of VOA, including claims of left-wing bias.
However, reports suggest that the actions could face significant challenges, as Congress, rather than the president, holds the constitutional power over federal funding.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
