President Donald Trump has instructed for a reduction in personnel at some media outlets funded by the US government, including Voice of America. Kari Lake, appointed as a senior advisor to the US Agency for Global Media by President Trump, made a statement regarding VOA on the social media platform X account. Lake mentioned in the announcement that a decree signed by Trump this morning detailed budget cuts and reduction in staff numbers for certain media outlets financed by the US government, including VOA. This decision came shortly after Congress approved the final funding bill on Friday night. The decree specified instructions to minimize the functions of the US Agency for Global Media hosting Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Marti providing news in Spanish to Cuba. Consequently, budget cuts and staff reductions are expected at media outlets affiliated with the agency.

1500 PERSONNEL PLACED ON INDEFINITE LEAVE VIA EMAIL Voice of America employees were informed via email that approximately 1500 of them were placed on indefinite leave. Job terminations are believed to be the initial step in the budget cuts, with the possibility of the institution being completely shut down in the future. A statement from the White House alleges that the institution is anti-Trump, produces liberal and left-leaning content, some journalists express views against the administration, and does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Voice of America encompasses services in around 50 different languages. Those affected by the situation reportedly include Voice of America Turkish. The decree also indicates that restrictions will be implemented at Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Marti providing news in Spanish to Cuba.