Trump Administration Cuts Jobs at Voice of America and USAGM
The Trump administration has eliminated 1,400 positions, including 639 at Voice of America, as part of a strategy to streamline federal media operations.
Overview
- The Trump administration has terminated 639 employees at Voice of America, contributing to a total of 1,400 job losses across media outlets.
- 85% of jobs have been eliminated at the US Agency for Global Media, leaving only 250 employees remaining.
- These layoffs are part of a broader strategy to dismantle perceived bureaucratic inefficiencies within U.S.-funded broadcasters.
- Kari Lake's leadership has emphasized a shift in agency priorities, including the termination of a $250 million luxury lease.
- The executive orders signed by Trump target bloated bureaucracy, significantly reducing staff and operations across federal media organizations.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the layoffs at Voice of America as a significant and detrimental action by the Trump administration, highlighting the impact on employees and the agency's mission. The tone reflects concern over the dismantling of a key media outlet, suggesting a bias against the administration's decisions and policies.
"Voice of America, launched during World War II to counter the propaganda of Axis powers, has been reduced to a shell of its former self, with the Trump administration announcing that it was terminating more than 600 employees from the media outlet and other government-funded broadcasters."
Deadline"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."
NPR"The layoffs at Voice of America signal the end of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom around the world."
Associated PressArticles (9)
FAQ
The Trump administration cut a total of 1,400 jobs across the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and Voice of America (VOA), including 639 job losses specifically at VOA.
Approximately 85% of jobs at the US Agency for Global Media were eliminated, leaving only about 250 employees.
The Trump administration stated the layoffs were to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and unnecessary spending, aiming to streamline operations and prioritize taxpayers’ interests.
Employees from the Persian-language service of Voice of America were among those who received termination notices as part of the layoffs.
Under Kari Lake's leadership, the agency emphasized shifting priorities, including ending a $250 million luxury lease as part of broader cost-cutting and operational restructuring efforts.
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