Donald Trump news: President signs order to gut Voice of America staff, employees at other US-funded media organizations

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has started implementing significant budget cuts to Voice of America and other government-run programs that support democracy. The director of the organization stated that all Voice of America employees have been placed on leave.

Following the approval of the latest funding bill by Congress on Friday night, President Trump instructed his administration to scale back the operations of various agencies to meet the minimum legal requirements. This directive included the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe and Asia, as well as Radio Marti, a broadcaster that transmits news in Spanish to Cuba.

On Saturday morning, Kari Lake, who was an unsuccessful candidate for Arizona governor and U.S. Senate and was appointed as a senior advisor by Trump, announced on X that employees should monitor their emails. Around the same time, notifications were sent out placing Voice of America staff on paid administrative leave.

“For the first time in 83 years, the storied Voice of America is being silenced,” Michael Abramowitz, the organization’s director, said in a statement. He added that “virtually” the entire 1300-person staff was placed on leave.

“VOA promotes freedom and democracy around the world by telling America’s story and by providing objective and balanced news and information, especially for those living under tyranny,” Abramowitz said.

One reporter, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press, said: “We expected something like this to happen, and it just happened to be today.”

The press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders said it “condemns this decision as a departure from the U.S.’s historic role as a defender of free information and calls on the U.S. government to restore VOA and urges Congress and the international community to take action against this unprecedented move.”

The Agency for Global Media also sent notices terminating grants to Radio Free Asia and other programming run by the agency. Voice of America transmits United States domestic news into other countries, often translated into local languages. Radio Free Asia, Europe and Marti beam news into countries with authoritarian regimes in those regions like China, North Korea and Russia.

“The cancellation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s grant agreement would be a massive gift to America’s enemies,” said the network’s President and CEO, Stephen Capus, in a statement.

Combined, the networks reach an estimated 427 million people. They date back to the Cold War and are part of a network of government-funded organizations trying to extend U.S. influence and combat authoritarianism that includes USAID, another agency targeted by Trump.

The reduction is a dramatic blow at a staple of post-Cold War order that has long had bipartisan support. Voice of America’s directors have included Dick Carlson, the father of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.

Thomas Kent, former president and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, said that Trump’s intentions for the agencies are still foggy. Without these news sources, it will be that much harder for the country to get its messages to the world, he said.

“Without the international broadcasting, the image of the United States and the Trump administration will be in the hands of others, including the administration’s opponents, (and) countries and people who consider the United States an enemy,” said Kent, an international consultant on media ethics.

A video posted on X by Lake on Saturday talked about cost-cutting measures, not mentioning the employees and the mission of Voice of America. Her video was made at a building leased by VOA that Lake described as a waste of money. She said she would try to break the agency’s 15-year lease on the building.

“We’re doing everything we can to cancel contracts that can be cancelled, save more, downsize and make sure there’s no misuse of your dollars,” she said.

The letter places employees on administrative leave and says staff would continue to receive pay and benefits “until otherwise notified.” It ordered employees not to use Agency for Global Media facilities and return equipment like phones and computers.

The Trump administration has already made other steps to assert its authority over Voice of America, and this week canceled contracts that allowed VOA to use material from independent news organizations, such as The Associated Press.

The administration has also banned the AP from press pools that cover the president and moved to take charge of what news organizations are members of the pools, and the FCC is investigating news organizations like CBS.

Trump’s order requiring reductions also includes several other, lesser-known government agencies such as the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, a nonpartisan think tank, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.

___

Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
You can live in a firehouse but there's a catch. See the quirky three-bedroom home on the market for $100k

Unique Three-Bedroom Home Available for $100k – There’s a Twist if You Want to Live in a Firehouse

For anyone whose ever dreamed of living in a real firehouse, the…
RedState Weekly Briefing: The Joke's on Them

Weekly Update from RedState: Laughing at the Opposition

Welcome to the RedState Weekly Briefing! We will highlight the top stories…
Bengals agree to $276million extensions with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow's favorite receivers

Bengals secure $276 million extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow’s preferred targets

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to spend $276 million to keep quarterback…
Missing Connecticut girl found alive 25 years after kidnapping with help from DNA testing

DNA testing aids in locating a girl from Connecticut who was kidnapped 25 years ago as she is found safe.

Connecticut police have located a New Haven girl — now a woman…
Trump activates National Guard in tornado-ravaged Arkansas as 37 deaths reported across multiple states

Trump deploys National Guard in Arkansas after tornado damage, with 37 fatalities in several states.

President Donald Trump took action on Sunday by deploying the National Guard…
What Time Is ‘Tracker’ On Tonight? How To Watch ‘Tracker’ Season 2, Episode 13 Live On CBS And Online

When does ‘Tracker’ air tonight? Where to watch ‘Tracker’ season 2, episode 13 live on CBS and online.

Another Sunday night on CBS, another new episodes of Tracker. Right?! In…
March Madness 2025: NCAA selection chairman Bubba Cunningham blasted over North Carolina's controversial bid

March Madness 2025: Outrage Mounts Against NCAA Selection Chair Bubba Cunningham for North Carolina’s Controversial Tournament Entry

Legally, Bubba Cunningham, the chairman of the NCAA selection committee, couldn’t vote…
Lucy Hale Says She Auditioned For ‘Hannah Montana’ Before Miley Cyrus: “Made Me Want To Be An Actress”

Lucy Hale Reveals She Tried Out for ‘Hannah Montana’ Before Miley Cyrus and It Inspired Her to Pursue Acting

Lucy Hale is commonly known for being the unofficial leader of the…
Critics finally reveal what they think of Snow White as first reviews of Disney's woke remake are released

“First Reviews of Disney’s Woke Remake of Snow White: What Critics Have to Say”

The first reviews of the new Snow White film were released on…
Bird flu: Infections in cats linked to raw pet food, New York health officials say

Bird flu spreads to cats through raw pet food, according to New York health officials

NEW YORK — The New York City Health Department has released some…
Elgin, Illinois storm damage: Severe weather rips off roof of First United Methodist Church, originally destroyed by 1920 tornado

Elgin, Illinois: Recent Severe Storm Causes Roof of First United Methodist Church to be Torn off, a Building Previously Damaged by Tornado in 1920

ELGIN, Ill. (WLS) — With a large part of the roof gone,…
Missing American college student Sudiksha Konanki: Police reveal male friend is under investigation

Supportive Community Stands by Joshua Riibe, a Witness in the Case of the Missing American Student

The family friends of Joshua Riibe, a crucial witness in the Sudiksha…