President Donald Trump recently announced the dismantling of Voice of America (VOA), a move which ally Kari Lake (R) agreed with, saying the organization is "not salvageable" and "a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken."
Fox News reported that President Trump recently issued an executive order to shutter and/or heavily reduce seven government offices, including Voice of America's parent company, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
"The non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law," the executive order reads.
President Trump has criticized VOA in recent years, accusing the organization of having a leftwing bias, notably by refusing to refer to Hamas as a terrorist organization, Fox further noted.
Reuters further reported that VOA's 1300 employees were placed on administrative leave, and its leader, Michael Abramowitz, was "deeply saddened" by the news.
In a statement reposted to X (formerly Twitter), Lake, referred to as the United States Agency for Global Media's special adviser, said, "From top-to-bottom, this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken. While there are bright spots within the agency with personnel who are talented and dedicated public servants, this is the exception rather than the rule."
“From top-to-bottom this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken. While there are bright spots within the agency with personnel who are talented and dedicated public servants, this is the… https://t.co/pJ4dw9ZtJO
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) March 17, 2025
Lake had only been sworn in as VOA director scarcely two weeks before Trump announced its dismantling. Still, in her announcement, she seemingly hinted at her support for shrinking the agency, saying, "Looking forward to serving America, streamlining the United States Agency of Global Media and everything it oversees."
