Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump signed order eliminating USAGM — President Donald Trump signed an order eliminating the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent company of Voice of America (VoA), along with six other federal agencies. This action led to government-employed journalists at VoA being placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits. The decision was not for disciplinary purposes but followed the termination of contracts with major news agencies like the Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse. The move is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to control media narratives and reduce reliance on external news sources.
• Voice of America employees put on administrative leave — Government-employed journalists at Voice of America (VoA) were placed on administrative leave following President Trump's order to eliminate the US Agency for Global Media, VoA's parent company. This move comes after VoA's parent company terminated contracts with major news agencies and instructed journalists to stop using wire service materials. The administrative leave is not for disciplinary purposes but reflects significant changes in the agency's operations.
• Trump administration shuts down Voice of America — The Trump administration ordered the shutdown of Voice of America (VOA), resulting in over 1,000 employees being locked out of their building and placed on administrative leave. The closure affects VOA's ability to broadcast news and information globally. Kari Lake, nominated to take over VOA, canceled contracts with affiliated networks, raising legal questions and potential lawsuits.
• Trump ordered gutting of pro-democracy media outlets — Trump took executive action ordering the gutting of the agency overseeing Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). More than 1,300 VOA employees were placed on leave, and funding for RFE/RL and RFA was terminated.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed executive order dismantling Voice of America and USAGM — In late March 2025, President Trump signed a late-night executive order aimed at dismantling the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and its flagship international broadcaster, Voice of America. The order directed USAGM to cancel federal grants supporting VoA's sister outlets—Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks. VoA's broadcast went dark for the first time since its founding in World War II, with approximately 1,300 employees placed on administrative leave. A federal judge blocked the dismantling in April, but subsequent court orders have kept VoA staff sidelined while litigation continues.
• Voice of America representatives sue Trump administration over shutdown attempt — In March 2025, representatives for Voice of America sued the administration, arguing that the shutdown violated their freedom of speech.
• Trump administration dismantled U.S. Agency for Global Media programming — The Trump administration dismantled most of the U.S. Agency for Global Media in March 2025, eliminating billions of dollars in foreign aid and influence programs. The action resulted in the removal of Voice of America content from Indonesian news channels that previously featured both U.S. government-backed and Chinese state media reports. Kari Lake, the official overseeing the retrenchment, accused the agency of misusing funds. The elimination affected decades of U.S. foreign-policy efforts and soft-power initiatives.