Trump, Kari Lake To Cut 500 Voice Of America Jobs

The Trump administration will eliminate 532 positions at Voice of America and its parent agency, acting CEO Kari Lake announced Friday, CBS News reported.

The announcement followed Thursday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who blocked Lake from removing VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, according to CBS News. The Reagan-appointed judge declared that firing Abramowitz would be “plainly contrary to law” without approval from the majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board.

“We are conducting this (reduction in force) at the President’s direction to help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service and save the American people more of their hard-earned money,” CEO Lake said in a statement, the outlet reported.

Lamberth has given the administration until Sept. 15 to demonstrate compliance with his orders to restore VOA’s operations, warning this represents “one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial.”

Kari Lake, the Trump administration official tasked with dismantling the Voice of America, sent termination notices to more than 500 employees at the broadcaster and its parent agency Friday night. https://t.co/wqIRN39D6z

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 30, 2025

“I look forward to taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most,” Lake wrote, the outlet reported. (RELATED: ‘This Is An Idiotic Thing To Do’: Kari Lake Blasts Democrat Rep To His Face Over Trump Impeachment Push)

Agency employees who sued to prevent VOA’s elimination condemned the move. “We find Lake’s continued attacks on our agency abhorrent,” they said. “We are looking forward to her deposition to hear whether her plan to dismantle VOA was done with the rigorous review process that Congress requires.”

VOA, established during World War II, broadcasts news to 427 million people in countries where press freedom remains limited. The affected employees have 30 days before their pay and benefits end.