USAGM Commentary
Multiple Voice of America (VOA) full-time employees report that they have received e-mails from the U.S. Agency of Global Media (USAGM) Office of Human Resources, informing them of being placed on administrative leave effective immediately. VOA’s probationary employees and some of the contractors received termination letters earlier.
According to senior staffers, it is not clear what the e-mail means for the Voice of America’s future, but at least one senior manager thinks that VOA will survive in a much reduced state.
Taking questions in the Oval Office alongside the Irish PM earlier this week, a Voice of America reporter asked, “What about the president’s plan to expel Palestinians out of Gaza?” Trump responded, “Nobody is expelling Palestinians. Who are you with?” The reporter replied, “Voice of America” and Trump said, “Oh, no wonder.”
The future of the USAGM’s grantee media operations—Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), the Open Technology Fund (OTF), and the Frontline Media Fund— remains unclear. VOA staffers do not know who will update today VOA’s multiple websites and produce television and radio programs. USAGM also includes the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees Radio and TV Martí, which, like VOA, is a federal organization. The others are NGO’s which receive federal grants from USAGM.
Kari Lake, President Trump’s choice for the position of the Voice of America Director who now works as a special advisor to the USAGM acting CEO, has not responded to multiple requests from news organizations for comments. President Trump has nominated Brent Bozell to serve as USAGM CEO, but he has not yet been confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Three hours ago today, Kari Lake had a post on X telling all USAGM employees to check their e-mails immediately.
Kari Lake
@KariLake
BREAKING—The President has issued an Executive Order titled Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. It affects USAGM and its outlets VOA and OCB. If you are an employee of the agency please check your email immediately for more information.
On Friday, Kari Lake was posting on X about her work to uncover and eliminate waste at USAGM.
On February 9, Elon Musk called for the shutting down of the Voice of America and other USAGM federally-funded media operations.
VOA employees shared with USAGM Watch the text of the e-mails they received from the USAGM Office of Human Resources:
From: Crystal Thomas @usagm.gov
Date: March 15, 2025 at 9:57:37 AM EDT
Subject: Important Information: Placement on Administrative Leave
This email provides important information regarding your employment status.
Pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy-The White House and the Office of Personnel Management Guidance on Probationary Periods, Administrative Leave and Details and additional authorities, including but not limited to, 5 C.F.R. § 630.1403, effective immediately, the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is placing you on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until otherwise notified. This administrative leave is not being done for any disciplinary purpose.
Please note the following:
Access to Premises and Systems: During the period that you are on administrative leave, you are not to enter USAGM premises, access USAGM systems, or attempt to use your position or authority with USAGM in any way without my prior permission or prior permission of a supervisor in your chain of command.
Government Property: Since you will not have any official business during this time, upon request, you will be expected to immediately surrender your official USAGM identification badge and press pass, as well as any keys or other official government property, including documents, records, electronic and telephone devices, and other equipment.
While you are on administrative leave with pay, you must be available by your personal telephone and personal e-mail during normal business hours, as it may be necessary for Agency officials to contact you. To that end, from your personal email, please send an email to @usagm.gov providing your personal contact information, including your phone number, email address, and mailing address by Monday, March 17, 2025.
You also must remain available to report to work if directed to do so and will be required to do so within one (1) business day of being contacted by an Agency representative, whether telephonically or electronically. If a situation occurs that would prevent you from reporting to work if contacted (e.g., travel outside of the area, medical circumstances, jury duty, etc.), you must contact Crystal Thomas @usagm.gov and provide the information as to your unavailability, so that your administrative leave can be changed to the appropriate leave category.
While on administrative leave, you remain an employee of the Agency. You are required to comply with the instructions of your supervisors, all laws and regulations, and agency policies, including the Broadcasting Administrative Manual (BAM).
We will provide you with updates as soon as they are available. We appreciate your patience and cooperation. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact
Crystal Thomas @usagm.gov.
Crystal G. Thomas
Director
Office of Human Resources
U.S. AGENCY FOR GLOBAL MEDIA
