Voice of America Faces Drastic Staff Cuts Under Trump Administration’s Plan

Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration is set to cut nearly all staff at the Voice of America, a prominent government-funded international news agency, under a controversial plan led by senior advisor Kari Lake. The plan will reduce the workforce from about 1,300 full-time employees and contractors to just 81 personnel this August.

Kari Lake has previously expressed intentions to shut down the outlet, arguing it does not meet its mission. However, she now aims to retain a minimal staff, allocating two employees for services in languages used in Afghanistan, China, and Iran, with 11 dedicated to the Voice of America itself. The network’s sister outlet serving Cuba will keep 33 staff members.

Lake’s strategy, announced following layoffs of approximately 800 workers placed on indefinite paid leave earlier this year, is being challenged in federal court. Recent layoffs began Thursday, with many employees facing job insecurity as they look toward the future.

Former leaders of Voice of America warn that breaking the workforce down to such a small size amounts to essentially dismantling the organization. Kelu Chao, a former top official, said, “When you punch someone and leave them in the street for dead, how can you expect them to come back?”

Patsy Widakuswara, a former White House bureau chief and current journalist with the outlet, expressed anger over the cuts. “To expect such a small group to fulfill our mission is absurd. We are abandoning the 360 million people around the world who depend on us for news,” she stated. Widakuswara is also a plaintiff in a lawsuit contesting the cuts.

Kate Neeper, director of strategy at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, echoed concerns, describing the plan as an attempt to end decades of supportive journalism in oppressive media environments. Neeper has also been placed on indefinite leave and is part of the ongoing legal action against Lake.

In a memo sent to Congress, Lake claimed that the workforce reduction was guided by senior leaders at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, including the agency’s former general counsel, Royce Min, who left the position in early May. Following this, a federal court ruled that Lake’s actions must comply with statutory staffing requirements meant to uphold reliable news delivery.

Despite the ruling, Lake’s agency has begun canceling contracts with international news services and has initiated an accelerated plan to divest from its D.C. headquarters. The agency has also cut ties with numerous satellite services that aid in broadcast distribution.

The Voice of America has played a crucial role since WWII, aiming to counter enemy propaganda and promote American values internationally. The recent cuts threaten to severely impact its operations and effectiveness in delivering news as a form of soft power.