- Mass Layoffs at Voice of America: Over 600 employees at Voice of America received layoff notices, reducing the staff to under 200 and marking a significant dismantling of the federally funded news agency.
- Trump Administration’s Directive: The layoffs follow an executive order from President Trump, who accused the agency of spreading “anti-American” propaganda and aimed to dismantle its operations.
- Kari Lake's Role: Kari Lake, a senior adviser and Trump ally, informed Congress of the intent to eliminate most positions at VOA, calling the agency a “bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy.”
- Backlash from Former Staff: Former White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, now suing the agency, warned that the move ends 83 years of independent journalism promoting democracy and free speech abroad.
- Wider Context of Federal Cuts: The layoffs are part of a broader pattern of Trump administration cuts to federal agencies, including funding for science, weather services, and consumer protection.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/us/politics/voice-america-layoffs.html