Trump Cuts Voice of America Funding, Places Staff on Leave

President Trump signed an executive order that mandates significant reductions in personnel and activities at seven federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA). Following this order, many VOA employees were placed on administrative leave, effectively disrupting the broadcaster's operations. Employees received notifications instructing them not to access agency systems or premises, leading to confusion about how to maintain programming. The cuts coincide with Trump's broader efforts to restructure government agencies without congressional approval, raising concerns about the implications for independent journalism. Additionally, USAGM terminated grants for Radio Free Asia, which is also affected by these reductions. Critics argue that these actions undermine the agency's mission of promoting free expression and combatting authoritarianism globally.