Trump orders dismantling of state-funded news agency Voice of America

In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated the dismantling of the government-funded Voice of America (VOA), citing concerns over biased reporting. According to Fox News, President Trump signed an executive order targeting several government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. A senior White House official commented that VOA has not aligned with American values for years, instead accusing it of spreading divisive propaganda. The executive order mandates the reduction of non-essential government components and functions within these agencies, as permitted by law. The U.S. Agency for Global Media and its senior advisor, Kari Lake, expressed that the organization is beyond repair. They labeled the agency a national security risk and a strain on taxpayers, though they acknowledged that there are some exceptional staff members within the agency. In addition to targeting VOA, the order aims to downsize or dismantle other entities, including 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.