Fact Check: Trump Administration Terminates 639 Voice of America Employees, Nearly Dismantling the Organization
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, it was reported that the Trump administration issued layoff notices to 639 employees of the Voice of America (VOA) and its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) (AP News, NPR). This action is part of a broader effort that has seen approximately 85% of the workforce at VOA eliminated since March 2025, totaling around 1,400 positions (NBC News, The Guardian). The layoffs were described by Kari Lake, a senior advisor to the USAGM, as a necessary step to dismantle what she termed a "bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy" (NPR, The Hill).
The layoffs have significant implications for VOA, which has been a key source of news for audiences in countries with limited press freedom since its inception during World War II. The recent cuts have silenced much of its programming, with many employees placed on administrative leave prior to the layoffs (AP News, NBC News). The termination of these employees has raised concerns about the future of independent journalism and the role of the U.S. in providing objective news internationally (NPR, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that the Trump administration terminated 639 employees at VOA is substantiated by multiple reputable sources. The Associated Press, NPR, and NBC News all confirm the number of layoffs and the context surrounding them, including the broader trend of workforce reductions at the agency (AP News, NPR, NBC News). The reports indicate that these layoffs are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic reduction in staff that has been ongoing since March 2025.
Kari Lake's statements, while reflecting the administration's perspective, have been met with criticism from former employees and media analysts who argue that these cuts undermine the mission of VOA to provide unbiased news in regions where free press is not guaranteed (NPR, The Guardian). Critics, including current and former VOA staff, have expressed that this move "spells the death of 83 years of independent journalism" (NPR).
The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high, as they include established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, it is important to note that the framing of the layoffs as a necessary "restructuring" may reflect a bias from the administration's supporters, while critics highlight the detrimental impact on free press.
Conclusion
The claim that the Trump administration terminated 639 employees at Voice of America, effectively dismantling the organization, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the layoffs and their significant implications for the future of VOA and independent journalism. The actions taken by the administration align with a broader pattern of workforce reductions at the agency, raising concerns about the impact on news dissemination in regions where free press is crucial.
Sources
- Layoff notices delivered to hundreds of Voice of America employees - AP News
- Voice of America gutted by Trump adviser Kari Lake - NPR
- Hundreds of Federal Workers at Voice of America Receive Layoff Notices - New York Times
- Voice of America parent terminates over 600 more staff in likely death knell - NBC News
- Kari Lake reduces VOA staff amid Trump's administration - The Hill
- Qui est Massad Boulos, ce libanais conseiller de TRUMP - JForum
- Trump administration almost totally dismantles Voice of America - The Guardian
- Trump Administration Lays Off Hundreds Of Voice Of America Workers - MSN
