Journalists, federal workers, and unions have filed a lawsuit alleging that USAGM unlawfully shuttered operations—ordering staff to stay home, suspending contractors, and locking doors—to silence independent media, an action seen as suppressing democratic accountability and press freedom.

Following the appointment of Kari Lake as senior advisor and an executive order by President Trump, USAGM suspended Voice of America journalists and cut off transmissions, effectively silencing the network for the first time in 83 years until a federal judge intervened.

Following an executive order from President Donald Trump, USAGM terminated federal grants to key independent media outlets, triggering furloughs and legal challenges. This move undermines the role of free press in countering authoritarian propaganda, destabilizing the financial and operational structure of organizations essential for global independent journalism.

Voice of America staff filed a lawsuit against the US Agency for Global Media and the Trump administration over the abrupt shutdown of the network and the termination or indefinite leave of hundreds of employees. The actions, spearheaded by political appointee Kari Lake, are seen as an effort to stifle independent journalism and advance an authoritarian agenda.

The Trump administration’s executive order has led to significant cutbacks at the US Agency for Global Media, stripping it of non-statutory programs and essential technical resources. Experts warn that these reductions not only undermine the agency's capacity to deliver independent news but also create an information vacuum that authoritarian regimes could exploit.

The Trump administration's termination of key grant programs at the US Agency for Global Media has been criticized for potentially aiding authoritarian regimes by crippling independent global journalism. Critics warn that this move could inadvertently empower hostile states by eliminating a key counterbalance to propaganda.

In response to President Trump's executive order to dismantle key media agencies, USAGM – the parent organization of Voice of America – released a statement declaring the agency 'not salvageable.' This move, which accompanied the appointment of Kari Lake as a special advisor, has raised concerns among independent journalists who view the action as an acquiescence to authoritarian interference in independent media. The event has spurred Voice of America employees to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, highlighting the broader dangers of political interference in public broadcasting.

On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order defunding key components of the US Agency for Global Media, effectively cutting grants to critical outlets such as Voice of America and Radio Free Asia. This decision is widely seen as a politically motivated move that undermines free expression and bolsters authoritarian influences by relinquishing a crucial check on state-controlled narratives.

Employees of Voice of America have initiated a lawsuit against the US Agency for Global Media, arguing that the agency's decision to cut funding undermines press freedom and violates constitutional rights, potentially aligning with authoritarian agendas.

In December 2020, USAGM negotiated a new lease agreement for its office relocation that included three years of free rent, $27 million in cash incentives, and donated furnishings. This deal reduced the annual rent from nearly $24 million to under $16 million, resulting in an estimated savings of $150 million over the lease, countering politically charged claims of excessive spending made by Kari Lake.