Fact Check: Kari Lake claims cuts are necessary to shrink 'out-of-control federal bureaucracy.'

Fact Check: Kari Lake Claims Cuts are Necessary to Shrink 'Out-of-Control Federal Bureaucracy'

What We Know

Kari Lake, a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has publicly stated that significant cuts to the agency are necessary to address what she describes as an "out-of-control federal bureaucracy." This assertion aligns with actions taken under President Trump's Executive Order aimed at reducing the size and scope of the federal government. On June 20, 2025, Lake announced the termination of 639 employees at USAGM and its subsidiary, the Voice of America (VOA), which represents about 85% of the agency's workforce (USAGM, NPR). In her statement, Lake emphasized the need to dismantle what she characterized as a "bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy" and mentioned that the agency had been riddled with dysfunction and waste (NPR, The Epoch Times).

Analysis

Lake's claim about the necessity of cuts is supported by her direct actions and statements. The mass layoffs were framed as part of a broader initiative to streamline operations and eliminate non-statutory functions within the agency, as mandated by the executive order (USAGM). Critics, however, argue that these cuts could severely undermine the agency's ability to fulfill its mission of providing objective news to regions with limited press freedom (NPR).

The sources reporting on Lake's actions vary in credibility. For instance, NPR and The Epoch Times provide detailed accounts of the layoffs and Lake's rationale, but they also reflect differing editorial perspectives. NPR is generally regarded as a reliable source, while The Epoch Times has been criticized for its partisan leanings (NPR, The Epoch Times). Additionally, the claims of dysfunction and waste within USAGM have been contested by some former employees and journalists, who argue that the cuts threaten the integrity of independent journalism (NPR).

Lake's assertion that the agency is rife with waste and fraud is echoed in her statements, but the evidence supporting these claims is largely anecdotal and lacks independent verification. The agency's critics argue that such sweeping cuts could lead to a loss of valuable journalistic resources and diminish the U.S.'s global voice (NPR, Independent).

Conclusion

The claim that Kari Lake believes cuts are necessary to shrink an "out-of-control federal bureaucracy" is True. Lake's actions and statements clearly indicate her commitment to reducing the size of USAGM in line with President Trump's directives. While her assertions about the agency's dysfunction are contested, the significant workforce reductions she implemented substantiate her claim regarding the need for cuts.

Sources

1. USAGM, Senior Advisor Kari Lake cancels obscenely expensive 15-year ...
2. Voice of America gutted by Trump adviser Kari Lake
3. Trump Administration: Latest News and Updates
4. 한국항공우주연구원 - KARI
5. Kari Lake Enforces President Trump's Executive Order, Reduces U.S ...
6. Kari Lake makes it official: Hundreds of Voice of America ...
7. Kari Lake Confirms Firings of More Than 600 VOA, USAGM Employees
8. Organization < About KARI KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH …