President Donald Trump's latest executive action targets Voice of America, igniting fresh controversy over the government-funded media outlet's future.

According to Fox News, Trump signed an executive order on Friday commanding the dismantling of seven government offices, including the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The executive order specifically instructs these entities to reduce their operations and personnel to the minimum level required by law. The White House maintains that VOA has strayed from its intended purpose, with a senior official stating the outlet has become increasingly partisan in its coverage.

Voice of America's leadership transition brings major changes

Kari Lake, Trump's December appointee as VOA's next chief, currently serves as senior advisor at USAGM. She notified employees to check their emails regarding their employment status following the executive order. The Wall Street Journal reported that employees received termination notices on Saturday, though the exact number of affected staff remains unclear.

USAGM and Lake released a joint statement declaring the agency "not salvageable." The statement highlighted systemic issues within the organization, describing it as a burden to American taxpayers and a potential national security risk.

The restructuring affects multiple government agencies beyond VOA, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Controversial coverage sparks criticism of VOA operations

A senior White House official provided insight into the administration's perspective, stating:

Voice of America has been out of step with America for years. It serves as the Voice for Radical America and has pushed divisive propaganda for years now.

The news outlet faced significant backlash for its coverage of various events, particularly its reporting on Hamas. Critics pointed out that VOA allegedly sanitized its coverage by omitting certain details about Hamas's actions, including an incident involving the display of Israeli hostages' remains.

The organization's editorial guidelines also came under scrutiny when it instructed staff to avoid using the term "terrorists" when referring to Hamas members, except in direct quotes. This directive was issued shortly after the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

Impact on federal media landscape

VOA's position as a government-funded media outlet has increasingly become a point of contention. The agency's coverage of domestic issues, including articles about white privilege and the Hunter Biden laptop controversy, drew criticism from various quarters.

Former VOA employees have spoken out about the organization's internal culture. One former staff member wrote an opinion piece advocating for the outlet's dismantling, citing concerns about leftist bias and lack of accountability in journalistic standards.

The executive order's implementation represents a significant shift in federal media operations, affecting VOA and related organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.

Federal media transformation takes shape

The dismantling order affects seven government offices in total, representing a broader effort to restructure federal agencies. The changes target organizations involved in various sectors, from media operations to community development and minority business support. The executive order specifies that these changes must be implemented within legal boundaries while maintaining minimum required functions. This approach suggests a calculated effort to reduce government involvement in media operations while adhering to existing laws.