'Everyone is really shocked and upset' — Trump administration puts Voice of America journalists on leave, cuts funding to Radio Free Europe

 

On March 15, the Trump administration followed up on an executive order signed a day earlier by President Donald Trump, aiming to cut funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). USAGM oversees Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

As a result of the executive order, which classified USAGM as an "unnecessary" federal agency, grant funding for RFE/RL was terminated. Additionally, journalists and employees at VOA were placed on administrative leave.

An email obtained by the Kyiv Independent instructed VOA employees "not to enter USAGM premises" or "access USAGM systems." Employees were also required to surrender their official identification badges, press passes, keys, and any other government property, including documents, electronic devices, and records.

"Everyone is really shocked and upset, but we saw some signs of this coming," a VOA journalist placed on leave told the Kyiv Independent under anonymity. In recent weeks, the government’s human resources department had requested employees' personal email addresses and phone numbers, raising suspicions.

"Everyone is still shocked, even though it was expected, especially after seeing Elon Musk's tweets," the journalist added.

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had publicly advocated for shutting down RFE/RL and VOA. On February 9, responding to U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell, Musk posted on X: "Yes, shut them down. Europe is free now (not counting stifling bureaucracy). Nobody listens to them anymore. It’s just radical left crazy people talking to themselves while torching $1B/year of US taxpayer money."

Musk has also criticized taxpayer funding for media organizations like Politico, the Associated Press, and The New York Times, calling them inefficient and advocating for their defunding.

"We are still considered government employees, but not for long. No one expects this to last," said another VOA journalist, predicting that terminations would be finalized by the end of next week.

On March 14, Politico reported that Radio Free Asia, another U.S.-funded broadcaster, planned to furlough approximately 300 U.S.-based staff due to funding suspensions.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of USAGM journalists. On March 7, prominent Ukrainian correspondent Ostap Yarysh was dismissed following an inspection by DOGE. The New York Times reported on February 28 that USAGM had launched an investigation into journalists who had been critical of Trump’s policies.

VOA Director Mike Abramowit condemned the administration’s actions, stating on social media that over 1,300 journalists, producers, and support staff had been placed on leave.

"Even if the agency survives in some form, today’s actions by the administration will severely damage Voice of America’s ability to promote a safe and free world, ultimately undermining U.S. interests," Abramowit wrote.

Funding for Radio Free Europe Slashed

In addition to the layoffs at VOA, USAGM also halted grant funding for RFE/RL. A letter from USAGM senior advisor Kari Lake, a staunch Trump supporter and Republican Senate candidate, formally announced the funding termination on March 15.

"This letter provides notice that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is terminating your federal grant... and any other grants with USAGM," the letter stated.

Stephen Capus, head of RFE/RL, criticized the decision as "a massive gift to America's enemies."

"The Iranian Ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the demise of RFE/RL after 75 years. Handing our adversaries a win would make them stronger and America weaker," Capus added.

Trump has long been critical of U.S.-funded media organizations, frequently accusing them of biased reporting and labeling them as "fake news."

USAGM networks reach an estimated 427 million people worldwide and employ thousands across the United States, Cuba, Europe, and Asia.

The Trump administration has previously cut thousands of federally funded positions, including those supporting Ukraine. In February, top officials from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were dismissed after attempting to prevent DOGE representatives from accessing restricted areas.