US President Donald Trump has issued an order to scale back operations at the federally funded news organization Voice of America (VOA), labeling it "anti-Trump" and "radical."

A White House statement justified the decision by stating that it would "ensure taxpayers are no longer funding radical propaganda." The statement also included criticisms from politicians and right-wing media figures targeting the broadcaster.

Established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA remains a major radio service with a global audience of hundreds of millions.

VOA Director Mike Abramowitz revealed that he and nearly all of the network’s 1,300 staff members had been placed on paid leave. He warned that the order significantly hinders VOA’s "vital mission," especially at a time when adversarial nations like Iran, China, and Russia are investing heavily in spreading disinformation to undermine the United States.

The order primarily targets VOA's parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which also funds outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia—both originally founded to counter communism. It instructs managers to "reduce performance… to the minimum presence and function required by law."

CBS News reported that VOA employees were informed via an email from Crystal Thomas, USAGM’s human resources director. A source told CBS that freelance and international contract workers had been notified that funding was no longer available to pay them.

Additionally, emails obtained by CBS confirmed that federal grants for Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty had been revoked.

The National Press Club, a leading U.S. journalism advocacy group, condemned the order, stating that it "undermines America's long-standing commitment to a free and independent press." It further warned:
"If an entire newsroom can be sidelined overnight, what does that say about the state of press freedom? An entire institution is being dismantled piece by piece. This isn't just a staffing decision—it's a fundamental shift that endangers the future of independent journalism at VOA."

VOA and other USAGM-affiliated stations serve more than 400 million listeners worldwide, operating similarly to the World Service, which receives partial funding from the British government.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed concern over the situation and stated that he would seek support from European foreign ministers to help sustain Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s operations in Prague.

Billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser to Trump and a key figure in the administration's government downsizing efforts, has publicly called for VOA’s shutdown through his social media platform X.

Beyond VOA, Trump has also slashed funding for multiple federal agencies, including those responsible for homelessness prevention, museums, and libraries.

During his first term, Trump was a vocal critic of VOA. He recently appointed Kari Lake, a staunch ally, as a special adviser to USAGM. The president frequently accuses mainstream media outlets of bias, branding as "corrupt" in a speech at the Justice Department.

VOA was founded in 1942 with the mission of countering Nazi and Japanese propaganda. Its first broadcast—transmitted via equipment loaned —outlined its modest purpose.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed VOA’s public charter to ensure editorial independence. By 1994, the U.S. established the Broadcasting Board of Governors to oversee non-military international broadcasts. A legal shift in 2013 later allowed VOA and its affiliates to begin broadcasting domestically within the U.S.