The U.S. government has issued layoff notices to 639 employees of Voice of America (VOA) and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), effectively dismantling one of the country's key international broadcasting services. This decision is part of a broader effort, led by Trump adviser Kari Lake, to eliminate what is described as a bloated and unaccountable bureaucracy. Since March, a total of approximately 1,400 employees—about 85% of the workforce at VOA and USAGM—have lost their jobs.

The notices, delivered on a Friday, included staff from VOA’s Persian-language service. These employees had just been called back from administrative leave to broadcast news to Iran after a recent Israeli attack. Shockingly, three Persian-language journalists were barred from returning to their office after stepping out for a break, with their ID badges confiscated. One anonymous employee shared that many were afraid to leave the office out of fear they wouldn't be allowed back in.

Kari Lake justified the move, stating that American taxpayers had been forced for decades to support an agency she claims has been plagued by dysfunction, bias, and waste. She framed the layoffs as part of a long-overdue reform.

VOA has historically played a crucial role in U.S. soft diplomacy. It was established during World War II to broadcast American democratic ideals to Nazi Germany and eventually expanded into a global media outlet providing news in dozens of languages, particularly in countries lacking press freedom. However, in recent years, VOA has come under scrutiny from conservative political forces, with former President Donald Trump and his allies accusing the outlet of liberal bias.

Since March 15, most VOA staff have been placed on administrative leave, silencing much of its programming and social media content. Among those laid off were three employees—Jessica Jerreat, Kate Neeper, and Patsy Widakuswara—who are currently fighting the administration’s dismantling of VOA through a legal challenge. In a statement, they warned that this move marks the death of 83 years of independent journalism that supported democracy and freedom globally.

Steve Herman, VOA’s chief national correspondent who was preparing to retire and take a university job, described the layoffs as a historic act of self-sabotage. He emphasized that the U.S. was eliminating one of its most powerful tools of soft power by silencing VOA.

It remains uncertain what, if anything, will replace VOA’s global programming. One America News Network (OANN), known for its strong support of Trump, has offered its signal for use, but no formal replacement plan has been announced.

Despite legal efforts and appeals from affected journalists for congressional intervention, Herman expressed little optimism about VOA’s future. He argued that each day the service remains off-air, audiences develop new habits for consuming news, making recovery even more difficult. With no clear budget provision for VOA in the upcoming fiscal year, Herman believes the destruction is likely permanent.

By the time a potentially sympathetic administration assumes power, VOA might already be forgotten, marking a significant loss for independent journalism and U.S. international influence.