Voice of America staff sue Trump administration over shuttered US-funded news outlets

The plaintiffs claim that over 1,300 employees were placed on leave and funding was cut for several news services last Saturday. This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape the agency and its outlets, sparking concerns over press freedom and editorial independence.

The cuts are part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to reduce the size of the federal government. They argue that taxpayer money should not be spent on initiatives that do not align with US interests.

The lawsuit asks the court to overturn the decision to shut down USAGM, which supports media organisations like VOA, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia.

Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees—one of the plaintiffs—criticised the decision, calling it “an assault on press freedom, our union members’ jobs, and democracy across the world.”

“Voice of America was founded to spread the truth and counter propaganda from authoritarian regimes—so it’s no surprise that the Trump administration is trying to dismantle it,” Kelley said, as reported by Reuters.

The US Agency for Global Media has not yet responded to requests for comment.

VOA was originally created during World War Two to fight Nazi propaganda. Over the years, it expanded into an international broadcaster, delivering news in more than 40 languages through radio, television, and online platforms, particularly in countries without a free press.

(with inputs from Reuters)