The Voice of America (VOA), a storied broadcaster known for providing fact-based news to millions globally, has been silenced after an executive order signed by President Donald Trump effectively shut down the taxpayer-funded broadcaster. The order, signed just two weeks ago, has drawn outrage from those who rely on VOA’s balanced reporting and the journalists who worked tirelessly to ensure its independence.
What Led to the Shutdown?
The Voice of America was established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda and later expanded during the Cold War to challenge communist disinformation. Over the decades, it grew into a respected international broadcaster. However, two weeks ago, President Trump took steps to curtail its operations, accusing VOA of broadcasting “radical propaganda.” On March 30, 2025, a federal judge put the administration’s actions on hold, but the damage to the broadcaster has already been done.
Immediate Fallout: Journalists Suspended
On the day of the executive order, 1,300 VOA employees were immediately suspended with pay, as reported by Steve Herman, the VOA’s chief national correspondent. Herman, who had worked with the agency for over 20 years, said the news hit him hard. “I knew at that point that the Voice of America was going to die very quickly.”
Steve Herman, who joined VOA in 2002, expressed his concern that VOA, one of the most efficient platforms for public diplomacy, is being sidelined. “The Chinese are spending millions to broadcast in dozens of languages. Is that a waste of money? I don’t think so,” he said.
History of VOA’s Role in Global Broadcasting
For decades, VOA has been a trusted source of news for millions of people worldwide, especially in repressive regimes. Patsy Widakuswara, the White House bureau chief for VOA, emphasized the agency’s role: “Our mandate was always to present America’s story, not the administration’s story.”
VOA reaches 360 million people every week, and 86% of its global audience trust it. The broadcaster’s audience spans 49 languages, and its services include television, radio, and digital platforms.
The Impact of Trump’s Executive Order
The Trump administration’s actions have led to VOA being completely silenced, with broadcasts replaced with music instead of news. This abrupt change has left millions of VOA’s audience wondering what’s happening in the United States.
Steve Herman said, “If you’re in a country and suddenly all the media switches to music, you know something’s wrong.” He continued, “This would make viewers think, ‘What the hell is going on in the United States?’”
A History of Political Interference
The Voice of America has had a long history of supporting American values, with bipartisan support across presidential administrations, from President John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan. However, President Trump’s views on VOA shifted after he criticized its coverage of COVID-19 and other domestic issues.
In 2020, President Trump accused VOA of spreading Chinese propaganda and later labeled it “The Voice of Radical America” in an official statement.
Support for VOA From Congress
Rep. Young Kim, a Republican Congresswoman from California, expressed concern over the executive order, stating, “Why are we ceding our soft power? We’re playing right into Xi Jinping’s hands.” Kim, one of the few Republicans challenging the administration on this issue, noted the significance of VOA’s global reach and the need for U.S. leadership in information wars against authoritarian governments.
A Lawsuit to Revive VOA
Patsy Widakuswara, along with other VOA journalists, has filed a lawsuit to resuscitate VOA, but she fears the damage is already done. “How can we continue to report without fear or favor when this is hanging over us? Would we only report on things that please the president?” she asked, expressing concern over the broadcaster’s future.