Kari Lake Announces Major Restructuring at USAGM
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to actualize President Trump’s vision for a more streamlined federal bureaucracy,” stated Lake.
“We have issued Reduction in Force Termination Notices to 639 employees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and its component, Voice of America (VOA)—a necessary step in our long-overdue initiative to dismantle a bloated and unaccountable bureaucracy. For years, American taxpayers have been compelled to fund an agency plagued by inefficiency, bias, and waste. This chapter closes today. I take pride in executing President Trump’s executive order and delivering outcomes that prioritize America First.”
Trump Admin Senior Advisor @KariLake announces mass terminations at US Agency for Global Media⤵️
“USAGM now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the… pic.twitter.com/MpO2YOcIOF
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) June 20, 2025
This announcement follows Lake’s earlier declaration regarding the termination of 584 employees at USAGM, the vast majority of whom were affiliated with the U.S. government’s international news network, Voice of America (VOA).
“There’s more to come,” she proclaimed last month.
As previously reported by , Lake initiated plans in February to downsize the agency significantly. In March, she warned unions that mass layoffs were forthcoming and proposed a generous buyout package for affected employees.
Initially appointed by the President as the Director of VOA, Lake’s confirmation by the Senate could take years. Instead, she has been designated as a White House Advisor with extensive authority over USAGM, which oversees multiple entities including VOA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
Next week, she is set to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she will shed light on various failures and national security risks identified within the agency.
For further details, read the full press release below:
