Trump Administration Moves to Cut 532 Jobs at U.S. State MediaThe Trump administration has initiated a sweeping reduction in force at the U.S. state-funded media agency, directing the elimination of 532 full-time positions at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and other international broadcasters. This announcement comes amid escalating legal battles over the agency’s restructuring.
Acting USAGM Chief Executive Kari Lake stated the job cuts are intended to reduce federal bureaucracy, enhance agency performance, and reduce taxpayer costs. She projected that the restructuring would ultimately improve the agency’s mission to “provide the truth to people across the world” who live under oppressive regimes.
Just one day earlier, a federal judge blocked Lake’s attempt to remove VOA Director Michael Abramowitz without approval from the International Broadcasting Advisory Board, reaffirming that such action would be “plainly contrary to law.” The judge also ordered Lake to submit to a deposition.
The impending layoffs follow an earlier round of terminations affecting more than 600 staff in June, leaving USAGM at roughly 15% of its previous workforce.
READ MORE: Trump Cancels Visit, Sours Relations With India
Lake has defended the downsizing as necessary to eliminate dysfunction, bias, and inefficiency, though critics warn it could deal a blow to U.S. media influence in regions lacking press freedom.
The legal dispute highlights deep divisions over the independence and future of U.S.-funded international media operations.
