In a decisive move to streamline the federal government, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday targeting the reduction of bureaucratic functions across seven agencies, including the organization overseeing Voice of America (VOA).
The order, titled "Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," aims to curtail non-essential functions and restrict statutory duties to those mandated by law. This directive affects several entities, such as the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, among others.
According to The Post Millennial, the executive order builds upon a previous initiative by Trump to minimize government entities and advisory committees. "With this Executive Order, President Trump is further decreasing the size of the Federal Government to enhance accountability, reduce waste, and promote innovation, the White House stated in a fact sheet.
This move underscores the administration's commitment to fostering a more efficient and accountable government structure.
The USAGM, which supervises VOA, is notably impacted by this order. As reported by Reuters, VOA employees were informed on Saturday of their placement on administrative leave with full pay and benefits until otherwise notified. The USAGM also provides funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, highlighting the broader implications of the order on government-funded media.
Kari Lake, a former news anchor appointed by Trump as the director of VOA, confirmed the order's impact on USAGM and its outlets, including the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB). In a post on X, she advised employees to monitor their emails for further updates. This directive aligns with the administration's ongoing efforts to downsize federal operations.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to spearhead initiatives aimed at reducing government spending and eliminating inefficiencies. Musk has previously voiced opinions on social media advocating for the shutdown of VOA, and some Republicans have criticized the agency for alleged biases against conservative viewpoints.
This executive order represents a significant step in the administration's broader strategy to reform and optimize the federal government, reflecting a commitment to conservative principles of limited government and fiscal responsibility.
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