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• Kari Lake, a senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), testified before Congress, criticizing the Voice of America and other USAGM outlets.
• Lake announced significant cuts, including the elimination of 1,400 positions, an 85% reduction in personnel since March.
• Her actions have been described as “profoundly harmful to our national interests” by a former network official.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Kari Lake, a staunch ally of President Trump, has been at the forefront of efforts to downsize the USAGM, which oversees the Voice of America and other global broadcast outlets. Her recent testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Committee highlighted her role in these cuts.

Core Players

• Kari Lake – Senior adviser at USAGM, former Arizona gubernatorial candidate
• Donald Trump – President of the United States
• U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) – Oversees Voice of America and other global broadcast outlets
• House Foreign Affairs Committee – Conducted the hearing on USAGM’s management

Key Numbers

• 1,400 – Number of positions eliminated at USAGM
• 85% – Reduction in USAGM personnel since March
• 250 – Remaining employees at USAGM after the cuts
• $17 million – Amount clawed back from previously allocated funds for broadcast stations

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Kari Lake’s testimony was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce federal bureaucracy and reprimand media outlets seen as unfriendly. Lake’s actions follow an executive order signed by President Trump in March that significantly reduced the agency’s funding and personnel.

Lake’s memo highlighted “waste, mismanagement, self-dealing, and national security failures” within USAGM as justification for the cuts.

Inside Forces

The USAGM has long been a target of Republican criticism, with many viewing it as inefficient and biased. Lake’s role as a senior adviser has been instrumental in implementing these cuts, aligning with Trump’s broader agenda of downsizing federal agencies.

The agency’s lease termination in a Washington office building and the redirection of $17 million in funds further underscore the extensive nature of these changes.

Power Dynamics

Kari Lake’s influence within the USAGM is significant, given her close ties to President Trump. Her approval of suggestions to lead other agencies reviled by Trump’s base, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), indicates her potential for further roles in the administration.

The support from President Trump and his base has empowered Lake to take aggressive steps in reshaping the USAGM.

Outside Impact

The cuts and restructuring at USAGM have broader implications for global broadcasting and U.S. foreign policy. Critics argue that these actions undermine the credibility and reach of Voice of America, potentially harming U.S. interests abroad.

Former network officials have condemned Lake’s actions, describing them as “profoundly harmful to our national interests.”

Future Forces

The future of USAGM and its outlets remains uncertain. Continued cuts and restructuring could further diminish the agency’s global influence. The Congressional hearing and subsequent reactions will likely shape the ongoing debate about the role and funding of USAGM.

Potential future roles for Kari Lake within the administration could also influence the trajectory of these agencies.

Data Points

• March 2025: President Trump signs executive order reducing USAGM funding and personnel
• June 2025: Kari Lake testifies before House Foreign Affairs Committee
• June 2025: USAGM eliminates 1,400 positions, reducing personnel by 85%
• June 2025: $17 million in funds redirected from broadcast stations to ‘mission support’