The Trump administration has announced another major round of layoffs at Voice of America (VOA), cutting more than 500 jobs in a move that could significantly weaken the U.S. government-funded international broadcaster. The decision was announced Friday by Kari Lake, acting chief executive of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent organization of VOA.
In a statement posted on social media, Lake said the layoffs were carried out at President Donald Trump’s direction as part of an effort to reduce the size of the federal government. She said the reductions are intended to cut bureaucracy, improve the agency’s effectiveness, and save taxpayer money. According to Lake, 532 full-time VOA positions were eliminated in the latest round of cuts. She maintained that USAGM will still fulfill its mission of delivering reliable news to audiences worldwide, particularly in countries where media freedom is limited. Voice of America was founded during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda and provide accurate information to global audiences. Over the decades, it has played a key role in broadcasting U.S. news and perspectives to regions where independent journalism is restricted.
However, the Trump administration has argued that the organization has drifted from its original purpose and requires significant restructuring. Officials have claimed VOA has become ineffective and needs reform to better compete with foreign state-backed media outlets. The layoffs follow a series of earlier reductions. In March, most VOA employees were placed on administrative leave after an executive order aimed at dismantling USAGM. Around 600 contractors were dismissed in May, and hundreds more employees received termination notices in June, though some of those were later temporarily withdrawn. The cuts have sparked strong criticism from VOA staff and Democratic lawmakers, who argue the administration is undermining a vital source of independent journalism. Several employees have filed lawsuits, claiming the job cuts violate federal laws requiring congressional approval.
