Source: Fortune
Summary
The Voice of America, the largest U.S. international broadcaster, was shut down by the Trump administration in March 2025, citing financial reasons. Despite the shutdown, 420 employees remained on paid administrative leave, costing taxpayers $1.6 million weekly. A report by the Office of the Inspector General found USAGM failed to assess the impact of personnel losses and lacked proper documentation for asset disposal. The shutdown led to service lapses and raised concerns about the agency’s credibility. A federal judge later ruled the shutdown unlawful, ordering employees back to work.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
USAGM shut down VOA, cut 994 employees, and stopped broadcasts.
420 workers stayed on leave, costing $1.6 million weekly.
OIG found poor planning and missing records.
The shutdown hurt credibility and operations.
The judge called it unlawful and ordered a restart.
Author: Evan Null
VOA’s Shutdown
The Voice of America, the largest U.S. international broadcaster, was shut down by the Trump administration in March 2025. The move was justified as a cost-saving measure, but the agency continued to operate in a reduced capacity. Despite the shutdown, 420 employees remained on paid administrative leave, costing taxpayers millions of dollars each week. A report by the Office of the Inspector General found that USAGM failed to properly assess the impact of its decisions and lacked proper documentation for asset disposal. The shutdown led to service lapses and raised concerns about the agency’s credibility.
Legal Challenges
In March 2026, a federal judge ruled that the shutdown of USAGM was unlawful. The court found that the administration had taken drastic action without considering the agency’s statutory and constitutional obligations. The judge ordered more than 1,000 employees to return to work, citing the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, and media consumers. The ruling highlighted the lack of a clear method or approach in the shutdown process. The decision underscored the importance of following legal procedures when making significant changes to government operations.
Public Criticism
Former news correspondent Dan Robinson criticized VOA as a “rogue operation” in an opinion piece for The Washington Times. He argued that the agency had become hubris-filled and reflected a leftist bias. Robinson claimed the agency avoided accountability for journalistic violations and mismanagement. His comments aligned with the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding and reduce operations. The criticism contributed to the broader narrative that VOA was no longer serving its intended purpose and was instead promoting partisan agendas.
Operational Impact
The shutdown of VOA marked the first time since World War II that the agency halted its broadcasts. The move affected digital production and global coverage, leading to lapses in service. The Office of the Inspector General noted that the reduction in operations had a significant impact on U.S. priorities. Despite the shutdown, the agency continued to operate in a limited capacity, with employees on administrative leave. The disruption raised concerns about the reliability of U.S. international broadcasting and its role in global media.
Financial and Legal Consequences
The continued presence of 420 employees on paid leave led to ongoing financial costs for the government. The Office of the Inspector General reported that the agency had not properly documented the disposal of broadcasting equipment and infrastructure. This lack of transparency increased the risk of asset mismanagement. The legal challenges to the shutdown further complicated the situation, with the court ruling that the administration had not followed proper procedures. The financial and legal consequences of the shutdown highlighted the need for careful planning and adherence to legal requirements when making major changes to government agencies.
