Journalists at Voice of America (VOA) were placed on administrative leave Saturday, one day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA’s parent organization.
An internal memo, sent at 9:43 a.m., informed employees they were barred from entering VOA facilities or accessing internal systems without explicit permission. Employees were instructed to surrender their press passes and government-issued equipment and provide their personal contact details by Monday.
The Trump administration’s order targets seven federal agencies, including USAGM, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the Interagency Council on Homelessness. The order directs agencies to “reduce the performance of their statutory functions” and submit compliance reports within seven days.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the move, calling it a “threat to press freedom” and urging Congress to intervene. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who leads Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has called for VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to be eliminated, arguing they are left-leaning and obsolete.
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