Trump Directs Shutdown of Media Agency That Has ‘Pushed Divisive Propaganda for Years’
The Trump administration announced on Friday that it will be shutting down the United States Agency for Global Media, the governing body overseeing Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.
A White House executive order classified the U.S. Agency for Global Media among seven federal entities that the President has deemed “unnecessary.”
As a result, all non-statutory divisions within the agency will be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”
Additionally, the agency will “reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.”
A high-ranking White House official told Fox News that “Voice of America has been out of step with America for years.”
“It serves as the Voice for Radical America and has pushed divisive propaganda for years now,” the official further stated.
The executive order also included other agencies slated for downsizing or closure, such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency.
Kari Lake, a special adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, reaffirmed her previous commitment to “implement President Trump’s executive orders in his mission to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.”
“Today we continue the process of doing that by streamlining our operations to what is statutorily required by law,” she stated in a press release.
“The U.S. Agency for Global Media will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview and shed everything that is not statutorily required. I fully support the President’s executive order. Waste, fraud, and abuse run rampant in this agency and American taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund it.”
The press release outlined multiple “egregious findings” within the agency, including breaches of national security, infiltration by foreign operatives, and extensive “self-dealing involving contracts, grants and high-value settlement agreements.”
One example cited was the leasing of an expensive Pennsylvania Avenue high-rise that lacks broadcasting capabilities—an expense the administration considers unnecessary.
Employees impacted by the decision were placed on paid administrative leave as of Saturday and will “remain on leave until further notice.”
“From top-to-bottom this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken,” the statement asserted.
“While there are bright spots within the agency with personnel who are talented and dedicated public servants, this is the exception rather than the rule.”
Lake, who previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for governor and Senate in Arizona, emphasized that dismantling the agency is a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States.”
“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Agency and its outlets,” she stated. “I look forward to moving forward with modernizing the core mission of telling America’s story throughout the world in a meaningful, impactful and effective way.”