President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 14 cutting funding to seven federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees outlets like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA). The decision has already led to hundreds of journalists losing their press credentials, according to reports from France24 and Reuters.
The executive order requires each affected agency to confirm compliance within seven days. According to France24, Trump included USAGM among "unnecessary" elements of the federal government.
Hours after the order was published, a letter from USAGM—signed by Kari Lake, a senior advisor to the acting director—confirmed that funding for RFE/RL had been terminated, according to hotnews.ro.
Harrison Fields, a White House official, reacted on X with a simple "goodbye" in 20 languages, a nod to VOA’s multilingual programming.
Stephen Capus, president and CEO of RFE/RL, condemned the funding cut, calling it "a huge gift to America's enemies." He warned that the decision strengthens adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia while weakening America’s influence abroad. "Nearly 50 million people in captive societies who depend on us for accurate news will not have access to the truth about America and the world," he said.
USAGM, which broadcasts in nearly 50 languages to an estimated 361 million people weekly, had requested a $950 million budget for 2025 to support its operations. The agency funds media outlets including RFE/RL, VOA, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
VOA staff were placed on administrative leave on March 15, though some may still be required to work. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that VOA’s Seoul bureau chief, William Gallo, said he was locked out of company systems and accounts. “All I ever wanted was to be fair and tell the truth. If that poses a threat to anyone, then so be it,” he wrote on Bluesky.
Founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA now reaches 360 million people weekly.
The funding cut also impacts agencies such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Minority Business Development Agency, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
