WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, March 16, 2025, President Donald Trump’s administration initiated mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) alongside other US-funded media outlets, aiming to reshape the nation’s international communication structure.
This decision follows less than 48 hours after Trump signed an executive order on March 14, which seeks to minimize staffing and functions across seven federal agencies deemed redundant or unnecessary. Intended to reinforce his administration's commitment to cut what he describes as bureaucratic excesses, the order targets agencies including the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which manages VOA and is responsible for international broadcasting.
According to the USAGM, VOA is responsible for providing news services in nearly 50 languages reaching over 354 million people each week through more than 3,500 affiliate stations globally. The White House claims this move will relieve taxpayers from funding “radical propaganda,” alluding to tensions between the Trump administration and VOA.
Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, shared the fallout of these layoffs on LinkedIn, stating, "Today’s action will leave Voice of America unable to carry out its mission. That mission is especially important today when America’s adversaries, like Iran, China, and Russia, are sinking billions of dollars..." His remarks highlight the considerable structural and operational repercussions of the recent orders.
On the same day, along with the specific layoffs, virtually the entire staff of VOA—including more than 1,300 journalists, producers, and support staff—found themselves placed on administrative leave. The decision left many questioning not only the immediate future of US international news programming but also the strategic communication efforts of the federal government.
The executive order also sets forth requirements for the heads of the affected agencies to minimize staffing levels to only what is legally necessary and reject various funding requests. Among the agencies affected, alongside USAGM, are 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.
The impact of these layoffs may resonate deeply within the international media sphere. With adversarial nations enhancing their narrative control, the ramifications for America’s soft power could diminish significantly. Experts worry the cuts may embolden rivals and reduce America’s capacity to present counter-narratives to global audiences.
This systematic dismantling of US-funded media raises questions about the sustained commitment to global public diplomacy. Such strategies have long been utilized to combat misinformation and promote democratic values abroad. The Trump administration’s drastic changes signal not only fiscal prudence but also represent ideological shifts concerning media oversight and information dissemination.
It remains unclear how the administration plans to convey America’s voice on global platforms moving forward, particularly as it continues to sell the narrative of reducing unnecessary governmental footprints. The Trump administration’s aggressive actions might resonate with his support base, who view government spending as excessive, but for journalists and those concerned with international communication, these changes indicate serious instability.
Reflecting on these developments, questions arise concerning the future of independent, impartial news reporting and its importance to democracy. The layoffs at VOA and the broader cuts to US-funded media organizations serve as pivotal elements within the continuing narrative of the Trump presidency, detailing the tension between governmental policy and the mission of globally pertinent institutions.
The coming weeks will be decisive as remaining staff and supporters of VOA continue to advocate for the organization's historical role as America's voice abroad. Meanwhile, the broader international community watches closely, evaluating not only the operational capabilities of VOA but also the strategic intentions behind the Trump administration's sweeping changes.
