Staff Reports
In a bold move that has certainly ruffled some feathers in the Washington establishment, President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at flipping the script on the Voice of America (VOA). This order, which has left nearly all VOA employees on administrative leave, is part of the president’s larger campaign to wipe the slate clean of what he deems government-funded media outlets that serve more as platforms for propaganda rather than objective journalism. It seems the “Voice” is going to be a little quieter for a while.
With a flair for efficiency, the White House Press Secretary asserted that taxpayers should not be footing the bill for content that rivals a third-rate political sitcom. The message is clear: if it resembles an anti-American narrative, then it’s getting the boot. The thrust of Trump’s initiative isn’t just cutting the fat, but rather, it’s about restoring a sense of accountability to where taxpayer dollars are funneled. This isn’t just about trimming the bureaucracy; it’s about eliminating the notion that American citizens should support broadcasts that undermine their own country.
In an email that must have sent shivers down the spines of Jane and Joe Journalist at VOA, the announcement indicated that the staff would enjoy a forced sabbatical with pay, while questioning whether they’d ever return to the office that’s gathered its share of scorn from conservatives. This gesture may seem generous on the surface, but behind the scenes, one can only imagine the debates raging among the characters left in the building. It’s a strange twist for a media outlet that has historically been seen as more interested in promoting globalist narratives than actual news.
Trump Takes Aim at Government-Funded News Agency, Starts Dismantling 'Propaganda'
https://t.co/8G6n52JngU— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 16, 2025
The order, titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” does not simply put employees on ice; it sets out to restrict operations to the bare minimum. Those who think they can still waltz into the office with their press passes and rub elbows with colleagues are in for a rude awakening. Return badges? Check. Return government property? Double-check. The logistical cleanup has put the staff on notice that this party is over, and according to a certain industry insider, it was no surprise to anyone paying attention.
In a rare moment of high drama, Kari Lake, a senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, went so far as to characterize the agency as being “beyond salvage.” If that’s not the dramatic flair of a soap opera, what is? She encouraged employees to check their emails for updates, effectively doubling down on the urgency. With sentiments like these echoing through the halls of power, one must wonder whether this could kindle a broader reckoning within media outlets about their roles and responsibilities. If anything, it’s clear that President Trump is dead set on sending a message: if the media won’t respect the views of the American people, they may find themselves with nothing to say at all.
