The Trump administration has announced radical cuts to a major government organization.
According to The Western Journal, President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to eliminate the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, to the maximum extent allowed by law.
The White House directive identifies USAGM as one of seven federal agencies deemed "unnecessary" by the administration. Along with it, six other institutions including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars are slated for significant downsizing. The move aligns with Trump's broader initiative to reduce federal government size and spending.
A senior White House official criticized Voice of America's editorial direction, claiming it has deviated from representing American interests. The administration points to serious issues within USAGM, including alleged national security violations and infiltration by foreign operatives.
The agency faced scrutiny over its Pennsylvania Avenue high-rise lease, which reportedly lacks broadcasting capabilities. This expenditure has been flagged as wasteful by Trump administration officials who seek to streamline operations.
Special adviser Kari Lake, who oversees USAGM, revealed troubling findings about the organization's internal workings. According to Lake's statement:
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.
Affected USAGM employees were placed on paid administrative leave starting Saturday. The agency's leadership has indicated these staff members will remain on leave indefinitely as the reorganization unfolds.
The administration's directive requires all non-statutory components of USAGM to be eliminated where legally possible. Remaining statutory functions will be reduced to minimum levels required by law.
Lake, who previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for Senate and governor in Arizona, expressed support for the executive order. She emphasized the need to modernize the agency's core mission of promoting American values globally.
Beyond USAGM, the executive order impacts several other federal entities. The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and Minority Business Development Agency are among those facing significant changes.
The administration's approach focuses on identifying and eliminating programs deemed unnecessary or inefficient. This includes addressing concerns about contract management, grant distribution, and settlement agreements within affected agencies.
Officials emphasize that statutory requirements will still be met despite the downsizing. The reorganization aims to maintain essential services while reducing operational scope and associated personnel.
President Trump's executive order targets USAGM and six other federal agencies for elimination or significant downsizing, citing concerns about waste, security risks, and operational inefficiency. The directive particularly impacts Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, which operate under USAGM's oversight. While affected staff remain on paid administrative leave, the administration moves forward with its plan to streamline these institutions to their legally required minimum functions, marking a significant shift in federal agency management and operation.
