United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the government-funded news agency Voice of America (VOA), citing concerns over alleged media bias, according to Fox News.
“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,” a senior White House official told Fox News Digital.
The executive order, signed on Friday, mandates the closure of seven government offices, including the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent organization of VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
According to the order, “The non-statutory components and functions of the following governmental entities shall be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.”
Kari Lake, senior advisor for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, stated that the agency is beyond repair. “From top to bottom, this agency is a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer—a national security risk for this nation—and irretrievably broken. While there are bright spots within the agency with personnel who are talented and dedicated public servants, this is the exception rather than the rule,” Lake said.
The executive order also includes the dismantling of several other government agencies, such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency.
