Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, announced over 600 new layoffs at the agency, which includes Voice of America.
“For decades, American taxpayers have been forced to bankroll an agency that’s been riddled with dysfunction, bias, and waste. That ends now,” Lake said in a press release Friday announcing 639 jobs were cut at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and Voice of America.
Under Lake’s leadership, 1,400 jobs have been eliminated since March, an 85% cut to the workforce.
“The agency now operates near the statutory minimum; lean and focused. This is a clear example of a responsible government—cutting waste, restoring accountability, and delivering on the promise to put American taxpayers first,” Lake, a former U.S. Republican senate candidate in Arizona, added. “I look forward to working with Congress and the Department of State to make sure the future of telling America’s story is modernized, effective and aligns with America’s foreign policy.”
In 2020, Trump was a vocal critic of VOA’s overage of the COVID-19 crisis, which he deemed “disgusting” and a “disgrace.” He also said VOA was spreading Chinese propaganda about COVID-19.
Two VOA staffers and one USAGM staffer, all of whom are currently suing Lake, spoke out against the layoffs, reported NPR.
The layoffs decision “spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism that upholds U.S. ideals of democracy and freedom around the world,” said Patsy Widakuswara, VOA White House bureau chief; Jessica Jerreat, press freedom editor at VOA; and Kate Neeper, USAGM director of strategy.
“We call on Congress to continue its long transition of bipartisan support for VOA. Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-American propaganda. Do not cede this ground by silencing America’s voice.”
Lake, a former TV news anchor and two-time Emmy Award winner, explained in February at the Conservative Political Action Conference her plans to lead the VOA and transform it into a key tool in the information war.
“I told President Trump when he called me and asked me to lead the Voice of America that we will focus on accurate and honest reporting.” Lake said. “It won’t become Trump TV, but it sure as hell will not be TDS TV. You can find all the Trump Derangement Syndrome that you want over on CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ‘60 Minutes,’ The Washington Post, and The New York Times.”