Trump Admin Moves To Cut 500+ Positions At Taxpayer-Funded Propaganda Network, Voice Of America

Kari Lake, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, an independent federal agency that oversees America’s international broadcasting operations, including Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and other government-funded outlets, announced late Friday a “reduction in force” that will eliminate hundreds of jobs across the U.S. government’s international broadcasting network. This broadcasting network that reaches hundreds of millions worldwide has long been criticized as a taxpayer-funded megaphone for Democrats and their globalist pals.

“Tonight, the U.S. Agency for Global Media initiated what is known as a reduction in force, or RIF, of a large number of its full-time federal employees. We are conducting this RIF at the President’s direction to help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service, and save the American people more of their hard-earned money,” Lake wrote on X on Friday night. 

She continued, “USAGM will continue to fulfill its statutory mission after this RIF— and will likely improve its ability to function and provide the truth to people across the world who live under murderous Communist governments and other tyrannical regimes. I look forward to taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most.”

ANNOUNCEMENT—
U.S. Agency for Global Media Eliminates 532 Government Positions
Washington, D.C. – Tonight, the U.S. Agency for Global Media initiated what is known as a reduction in force, or RIF, of a large number of its full-time federal employees. We are conducting this RIF at… pic.twitter.com/LWeO9w0RNQ

— Kari Lake (@KariLake) August 30, 2025

The problem with VOA during the Biden-Harris years was that it failed to broadcast America’s beacon of freedom and hope in a neutral manner. Instead, it became a taxpayer-funded, weaponized megaphone echoing Democrats’ globalist priorities, targeting President Donald Trump, and vilifying MAGA voters. Regular programming glorified nation-killing progressive policies, such as open borders.

One day before Lake’s RIF announcement, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Michael Abramowitz, a former Washington Post editor and now VOA director, could not be removed without the approval of the majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. 

Firing Abramowitz would be “plainly contrary to law,” according to Lamberth, who was appointed to the bench by former President Ronald Reagan.

In June, VOA sent layoff notices to more than 600 employees of the agency. Abramowitz was placed on administrative leave and informed that he would be fired, effective August 31. 

Lake’s vision in the eyes of the Trump administration is to make VOA fairer, sharper, and more recognizably American, rather than serving Democrats and their globalist billionaire allies. 

Related: 

• Deep Throat For The Deep State

. . .