Americas

Americas

Trump signs executive order to dissolve U.S. Agency for Global Media and reduce scope of other federal agencies

15 March 2025 14:38 (UTC +04:00)

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dissolve the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which is funded by the U.S. government and oversees government-controlled media, APA reports.

The document was published on the White House website.

The executive order also applies to seven other federal agencies. According to the decision, the heads of these agencies must submit a report within 7 days to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, confirming full compliance with the order and outlining which components or functions of the government agencies they lead are legally necessary.

The goal of the order is emphasized to be related to the president's decision to reduce federal bureaucracy.

It should be noted that the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, was established by Congress as an independent entity. In 2020, Congress passed a law limiting the powers of the agency’s head, who is appointed by the president. The Agency for Global Media, along with funding Voice of America, also funds "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty" and "Radio Free Asia." The agency has a budget of approximately $270 million and more than 2,000 employees, broadcasting in 49 languages.

Trump's decision is viewed as a controversial move, particularly because it interferes with agencies that are either under Congress's control or considered independent.