Trump orders massive cuts to Radio Svoboda, Voice of America, and other government agencies

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at cutting seven federal agencies, including the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Radio Free Europe/Radio Svoboda and other media outlets.

This was reported by the Radio Svoboda portal.

The executive order, signed late on March 14, also targets agencies dealing with homelessness, labor disputes, and community development.

According to the order, the heads of the agencies listed in the order must submit a report to the budget department of the presidential administration confirming "full compliance with this order and explaining what components or functions of the government agency, if any, are required by law and to what extent."

The management of Radio Free Europe/Radio Svoboda has not yet commented on the order.

USAGM is an independent U.S. government agency that broadcasts news and information in nearly 50 languages ​​to an estimated 361 million people.

USAGM’s budget request for fiscal year 2025 was USD 950 million to fund all of its operations for media outlets such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Svoboda, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Radio Marti (Cuba), Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), and the Open Technology Fund.

During his first term as President, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized USAGM over its editorial independence and broadcasting strategy. He has again expressed dissatisfaction with the agency’s operations since the start of his second term.

Supporters of the agency believe that the media outlets that make up USAGM are an important tool for U.S. diplomacy.

In addition to USAGM, the order applies to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Woodrow Wilson International Center at the Smithsonian Institution, the Institute of Museum and Library Service, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, and the Minority Business Development Agency.