Kari Lake Testifies on Restructuring Voice of America and U.S. Global Media Strategy
Kari Lake, a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and a close ally of former President Donald Trump, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday regarding the agency’s controversial transformation. As Trump’s top appointee to the agency, Lake outlined her aggressive plans to overhaul the Voice of America (VOA), a U.S.-funded international broadcaster, and redirect its mission toward promoting “America First” values.
Cutting Costs and Restructuring VOA
Lake, a vocal critic of mainstream media and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate, defended her recent decisions to slash over 600 jobs at VOA, eliminate its Washington, D.C., headquarters lease, and reduce the agency to what she called its “statutory minimum” operating level. Calling the organization a “bloated bureaucracy,” Lake argued that the agency had long strayed from its core mission and was failing to promote American ideals abroad.
“Sometimes a lean, mean team makes it easier to get things done,” Lake said, asserting that the changes were part of a broader effort to ensure accountability, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility with taxpayer dollars.
Accusations of Bias and Misinformation
In her testimony, Lake accused VOA of spreading disinformation and siding with America’s adversaries. She alleged that under previous administrations, the broadcaster gave undue credence to pro-Chinese Communist Party narratives and failed to support President Trump’s policies during the 2024 election cycle.
“Lies are being told on VOA,” she told lawmakers. “They could tell lies about you and you couldn’t do anything to stop it.”
Lake criticized the editorial “firewall” that limits political interference in VOA coverage, suggesting it hinders management’s ability to ensure accurate and patriotic reporting. She likened her vision for VOA to a modern newsroom, where leadership holds editorial authority to steer the narrative.
Partisan Clash on Capitol Hill
Lake’s appearance before the committee ignited a fiery exchange between Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Democrats expressed alarm at what they described as efforts to turn VOA into a state-run propaganda outlet aligned with Trump’s political agenda.
Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.) challenged Lake to present evidence of “waste, fraud, and abuse” before implementing sweeping layoffs and structural changes. He, along with others, highlighted the danger faced by VOA journalists reporting from authoritarian regimes or conflict zones.
“These are things that are necessary,” Rep. Bill Keating (D-Mass.) said. “Why would you ever cut there?”
Conversely, Republicans rallied behind Lake’s push for reform. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) praised her leadership, accusing Democrats of clinging to a “corrupt cocoon of power.” He credited Lake with confronting “political hacks” and embracing fiscal conservatism.
Lake’s Political Background and Election Controversy
Lake’s testimony was also met with sharp criticism over her history of questioning the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election and promoting unverified claims of fraud. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) called her an “adjudicated liar and two-time political loser,” referencing her refusal to concede after her 2022 gubernatorial loss in Arizona.
Despite stepping back from public claims about the election, Lake has maintained that the system is flawed. She defended her record during the hearing, insisting that she had the courage to challenge what she believed were “shoddy elections.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) questioned Lake’s ability to lead an agency tasked with promoting democracy, given her praise of leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán—an authoritarian figure often criticized by democratic institutions.
Looking Ahead: More Cuts and Policy Shifts Expected
Lake made clear that she plans to accelerate reforms at VOA, with a goal of completing the restructuring before the start of fiscal year 2026. She floated the idea of folding VOA into the State Department to centralize oversight and enhance diplomatic messaging.
“This is a billion-dollar agency,” Lake said. “We know money is being wasted, and the content being produced does not support our country or its values. I don’t take pleasure in job cuts, but this is the reality of today’s media environment.”
Shortly after the hearing, Trump echoed Lake’s message on social media, calling VOA a “leftwing disaster” and urging Republicans to eliminate its funding entirely.
