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In a stunning move, President Donald Trump’s administration has gutted Voice of America (VOA) and other pro-democracy news agencies, forcing employees onto leave and shutting down key international broadcasts.
On Saturday, March 16, 2025, the Trump administration launched an aggressive funding cut targeting Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia—U.S. government-backed media outlets that provide news to millions living under authoritarian regimes.
The massive budget slash followed Trump’s directive on Friday night, just after Congress passed its latest funding bill. In response, employees across the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)—which oversees VOA and related outlets—received notices placing them on paid administrative leave.
Kari Lake, the former Arizona gubernatorial candidate and newly appointed senior adviser to USAGM, confirmed the move in a post on X, directing employees to check their emails. The layoffs immediately impacted VOA journalists worldwide.
The move has sparked an international backlash. Reporters Without Borders condemned the decision, calling it a dangerous step away from the U.S.’s commitment to free press and democracy.
“We urge Congress and the international community to take action against this unprecedented attack on independent journalism,” the group stated.
VOA, along with Radio Free Asia, Radio Marti, and Radio Free Europe, has been a key tool in combating authoritarian propaganda in countries like China, North Korea, and Russia. The shutdown could silence independent news sources for millions living under oppressive regimes.
One VOA journalist, speaking anonymously, revealed that every employee received the same layoff notice, and many are uncertain about their future.
Thomas Kent, former CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, warned that eliminating U.S.-backed news agencies gives hostile nations full control over America’s global image.
“Without VOA and its affiliates, China, Russia, and other adversaries will dominate the information space, shaping the narrative without challenge,” Kent stated.
The Trump administration has also cut contracts with major news agencies like The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse, further limiting U.S.-backed journalism.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia denounced the cuts, stating, “This is a serious blow to press freedom, and it will be felt worldwide.”
In a video posted on X, Kari Lake downplayed the layoffs, describing them as part of a cost-cutting effort. She singled out a VOA-leased building as a “waste of taxpayer money” and vowed to cancel unnecessary contracts.
“We’re downsizing to eliminate waste, making sure there’s no misuse of your dollars,” Lake stated. However, she failed to address the shutdown’s impact on global democracy efforts.
The VOA staff memo confirmed that employees would still receive pay and benefits “until otherwise notified” but ordered them to return all government-issued equipment and refrain from using agency facilities.
This is just the latest move in Trump’s crackdown on independent institutions. His order also targets the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
The international community is closely watching to see if Congress will intervene. For now, hundreds of journalists remain in limbo, and millions around the world may soon lose access to independent news from the U.S.
