In an astounding victory for overbloated government, the Trump administration and Kari Lake delivered on promises to drain the swamp by firing 600 Voice of America (VOA) contractors.
The move, led by Kari Lake, aligns the federal broadcaster with America-first values while cutting bureaucratic bloat.
Nearly 600 VOA employees were notified their positions would be terminated as the Trump administration continues its mission to streamline government agencies and address long-standing concerns about liberal bias.
The restructuring affects approximately one-third of VOA’s workforce and follows President Trump’s March 14 executive order suspending VOA broadcasts and placing most of its 1,300 staffers on administrative leave.
Lake, appointed by Trump to oversee the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), confirmed 584 terminations as part of a broader initiative to realign the agency with administration priorities.
“In accordance with President Trump’s executive order dated March 14, we are in the process of rightsizing the agency and reducing the federal bureaucracy to meet administration priorities,” Lake stated.
“Buckle up, there’s more to come,” she added.
The White House has previously criticized VOA for its leftist slant, sometimes referring to it as “Voice of Radical America.”
The Trump administration justified the terminations, which will be effective May 30, by citing “the government’s convenience.”
Employees have been instructed to return all VOA property by that date.
Lake also announced a strategic partnership between VOA and conservative media outlet One America News, signaling a dramatic shift in editorial direction.
She underscored that under new leadership, VOA will highlight “America’s achievements worldwide” and counter false narratives about the United States.
Moreover, the terminations include numerous J-1 visa holders who must now leave the United States within 30 days, as their residency was tied to their employment.
Some of the affected journalists reportedly come from countries with harsh penalties for independent journalism, a fact that liberal critics have latched onto in their opposition to the restructuring.
Predictably, the left-leaning establishment has reacted with outrage.
Michael Abramowitz, VOA director, expressed dismay over the terminations, claiming, “I find this action inexplicable, and to my knowledge, no rationale has been provided by USAGM for this decision.”
Several affected networks have filed lawsuits against the administration, accusing it of executive overreach.
A federal judge recently ordered the Trump administration to restore VOA operations, suggesting the restructuring might face legal obstacles.
However, the administration appears determined to press forward with its plans to transform the agency.
In another cost-cutting measure, the Wilber J. Cohen building, which houses VOA, has been put up for rent.
The move symbolizes the administration’s commitment to reducing government spending and maximizing taxpayer resources.
Before its suspension, VOA broadcast in 49 languages to an audience of approximately 354 million weekly.
Founded during World War II to promote democracy and counter propaganda, critics argued the agency had strayed far from its original mission, instead becoming another bloated government entity pushing globalist and leftist narratives at taxpayer expense.
With these sweeping changes, the Trump administration continues to fulfill its promises to reduce government waste and realign federal agencies with America-first priorities.
For supporters who have long criticized VOA’s editorial slant, the restructuring represents a long-overdue correction in service of transparent, patriotic journalism.
