Trump Renewed Calls to Defund Voice of America Amid Large-Scale Layoffs

President Donald Trump has escalated his administration's campaign against the U.S.-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), calling it a 'leftwing disaster' and a 'Democrat mouthpiece' while urging Congress and Republicans to terminate its funding and shut it down. This follows a series of actions including a March White House statement branding VOA as promoting 'anti-American' content and recent layoffs that have reduced its staff to fewer than 200 employees. Senior White House Adviser Kari Lake testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee describing VOA as 'rotten to the core,' citing waste, fraud, and national security failures, and advocating for its control to be transferred to the State Department. The administration's push challenges the broadcaster's congressional mandate for balanced coverage and raises constitutional questions about government interference in press independence. Trump’s efforts reflect a broader attempt to dismantle what his administration perceives as partisan media influence within government-funded outlets. These moves have sparked significant debate regarding the role of VOA and the limits of executive power over international broadcasting.