Imagine working at a taxpayer-funded broadcaster only to use its resources to threaten a sitting congresswoman—shocking, right? That’s exactly what federal prosecutors allege Seth Jason, a longtime Voice of America (VOA) employee, did over 15 months. His arrest early Thursday morning in Washington, D.C., has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of the embattled agency.
According to Breitbart, this story centers on Jason’s alleged violent threats against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), her staff, and their families, using government phone lines at VOA’s headquarters, leading to a four-count federal indictment.
The troubling saga began in October 2023, when prosecutors say Jason started making anonymous calls to Greene’s district offices in Georgia. For more than a year, he allegedly placed eight threatening calls, each laced with promises of violence. The final call, authorities claim, came just a day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
These weren’t just idle words—prosecutors allege Jason explicitly threatened to use firearms against Greene and her team, even mentioning kidnapping a family member. Using taxpayer-funded equipment at VOA’s studios and control rooms for such acts adds a layer of audacity that’s hard to stomach. It’s a stark reminder of how public resources can be misused when oversight fails.
The charges against Jason are serious: two counts of influencing a federal official, one for direct threats and another for targeting a family member, plus interstate communications with intent to harm and anonymous harassment. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 27 years behind bars. That’s a hefty price for what prosecutors call a calculated campaign of intimidation.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan announced the indictment on Thursday, signaling a swift response to the alleged misconduct. It’s reassuring to see law enforcement act decisively when elected officials are targeted. Yet, one wonders how such behavior went undetected for over a year in a federal workplace.
This case isn’t just about one employee’s actions—it’s a window into deeper issues at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA’s parent organization. Kari Lake, Senior Advisor overseeing the agency, didn’t mince words about the rot within. “It angers me that a taxpayer-funded VOA employee would use taxpayer-funded equipment in a depraved way to threaten the lives of people,” she said.
Lake’s frustration is palpable, and her follow-up hits harder: “This is a bloated, biased, and dysfunctional organization.” That’s a damning assessment from someone tasked with cleaning house, and it’s tough to argue when stories like this emerge. If public trust in these agencies wasn’t already shaky, this incident might be the tipping point.
Lake also pointed out the broader context, stating, “The alleged actions leading to this arrest illustrate only a small part of the past rot at Voice of America.” Her push for the agency’s elimination, echoed by President Trump, feels like a natural response to such scandals. Why keep funding a system that seems to breed misconduct?
Adding fuel to the fire, Lake has already overseen a drastic restructuring, slashing 1,400 positions at VOA and its parent agency just a month ago. That’s an 85% workforce reduction—a bold move that signals zero tolerance for inefficiency or abuse. Rep. Greene herself praised the cuts, linking them to House Oversight findings of mismanagement.
Greene’s support for the overhaul underscores how this incident ties into a larger battle over accountability in government-funded entities. When even a targeted lawmaker backs such drastic measures, it’s clear the status quo isn’t cutting it. Taxpayers deserve better than footing the bill for dysfunction.
But let’s not lose sight of the human cost here—threats of violence against anyone, let alone a public servant and their family, cross a line that can’t be excused. While the political context matters, the core issue is a breach of basic decency and safety. Jason’s alleged actions, if proven, demand consequences.
As this case unfolds, the spotlight on VOA and the U.S. Agency for Global Media will only intensify. Will Lake’s push to shutter the agency gain traction, or will reform take precedence over outright closure? The answer could reshape how America projects its voice abroad.
For now, Seth Jason’s fate rests with the courts, and the public awaits answers on how such alleged misconduct persisted undetected. It’s a sobering moment for those who believe in the mission of public broadcasting but can’t ignore its flaws. Let’s hope this sparks real change, not just rhetoric.
