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Kari Lake on Friday announced mass terminations at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
“USAGM now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the promise to put American taxpayers first,” Lake said.
“Today, we took decisive action to effectuate President Trump’s agenda to shrink the out-of-control federal bureaucracy,” she added.
The former Arizona gubernatorial candidate has eliminated approximately 1,400 positions, an 85% decrease in personnel.
Trump Admin Senior Advisor @KariLake announces mass terminations at US Agency for Global Media⤵️
“USAGM now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the… pic.twitter.com/MpO2YOcIOF
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) June 20, 2025
A closer look:
From POLITICO:
The Trump administration on Friday sent out termination notices to hundreds of employees at Voice of America.
Included in that group are employees working for the network’s Persian-language service who were called back from administrative leave just last week in the wake of Israel’s attack on Iran, according to two people familiar with the decision.
The move — which makes official what has long been expected since hundreds of contract employees got termination notices in early May — is a part of the Trump administration’s sweeping target to downsize the government and remake America’s role in the global order.
Critics of the administration’s focus on VOA have said that the network has played a vital role in combatting disinformation abroad. But the administration says these cuts are in service of “cutting waste” and putting “American taxpayers first.”
🚨 JUST IN: Kari Lake announces she has TERMINATED 85% of the employees at USAGM and Voice of America, the U.S. government’s media propaganda arm
USAGM had become a cesspool for foreign spies, as it was a great cover, and ripe with waste, fraud, and abuse.
Lake also terminated… pic.twitter.com/hPYgrVnssy
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 20, 2025
Per NPR:
A significant number of those called back received the layoff notice on Friday too, according to several staffers, including one from the Persian-language newsroom. They spoke to NPR on condition of anonymity, citing fear of repercussions.
This move “spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom around the world,” three employees suing Lake said in a joint statement. The three staffers are Voice of America White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara and Press Freedom Editor Jessica Jerreat and U.S. Agency for Global Media Director of Strategy Kate Neeper.
“We call on Congress to continue its long transition of bipartisan support for VOA,” they said. “Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-American propaganda. Do not cede this ground by silencing America’s voice.”
They are among those who received the layoff notices. The reduction in force is to take effect Sept. 1.
“The scope of the agency’s actions appears massive and would eviscerate Voice of America’s congressionally mandated role to provide objective news to closed societies and other places around the world,” said Michael Abramowitz, the Voice of America’s director, who had not received a layoff notice by Friday afternoon, but is currently on involuntary paid administrative leave.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks have each sued Lake and the Trump administration as have journalists from Voice of America in separate litigation.