In a sweeping reorganization, Voice of America notified 639 employees on Friday that their positions were being eliminated in one of the largest workforce reductions in the agency’s history, The Hill reported.
The move, led by U.S. Agency for Global Media adviser Kari Lake, has drawn strong reactions from within the organization and from advocates of press freedom and congressional Democrats.
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring plan to reduce and refocus the federally funded English-language broadcasting agency. Lake, an ally of President Trump, announced the decision as a way to eliminate what she described as bureaucratic excess and operational waste.
Lake characterized the move as a long-overdue step toward restoring accountability in a government institution she views as overgrown and inefficient. Previously, VOA employed thousands of full- and part-time journalists based around the world.
Following the cuts, the number of editors, reporters, and producers at VOA will shrink to fewer than 300. This dramatic reduction marks a substantial shift for the public broadcaster, which historically played a key role in transmitting U.S. perspectives abroad.
“This is a clear example of responsible government,” Lake said, stating the agency is now operating at what she referred to as the “statutory minimum, lean and focused.”
Lake emphasized that the restructuring will also serve a journalistic purpose by addressing what she described as political bias within the agency’s recent coverage. She said the new direction aims to prioritize truthful and balanced reporting.
She criticized what she and President Trump call “Trump derangement syndrome” in mainstream media, implying that U.S. government media should offer an alternative that avoids that narrative. According to Lake, VOA must realign with its mission and offer more integrity in reporting.
In speaking about the vision for the agency, Lake stated that she wants VOA to produce news that “puts American taxpayers first” and avoids what she claims are politically biased narratives common in traditional outlets.
The abrupt job cuts prompted immediate concern from current and former VOA staff, many of whom see the move as destructive rather than reformative. Some employees described the announcement as unexpected and demoralizing.
Outside the agency, the response was equally critical. Several leading Democrats condemned the decision, raising concerns about the impact on U.S. international credibility and press freedom.
First Amendment advocates also warned that the layoffs could undermine VOA’s reputation as a nonpartisan news source and contribute to a larger pattern of politicization within government-funded media.
Lake is scheduled to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday, where she will face lawmakers’ questions about the rationale and implications of the workforce reduction.
The hearing is expected to focus on the future of the U.S. Agency for Global Media and whether the current reforms strike the right balance between efficiency and the agency’s mission to inform global audiences.
As the restructuring unfolds, VOA’s future—and its ability to continue delivering independent journalism on behalf of the U.S.—remains in flux, with growing uncertainty over what comes next for the historic broadcaster.
