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Kari Lake is standing firm in her critique of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), claiming it is deeply flawed and needs significant overhaul.
During a recent congressional hearing, Lake, a senior advisor overseeing Voice of America (VOA), described the agency as “rotten to the core” and emphasized her goal of restructuring it by 2026.
Lake stated, “This place is rotten. It’s rotten to the core,” as she addressed the House Oversight Committee. She revealed that President Trump has tasked her with this mission and issued an executive order aimed at streamlining the agency to comply with its legal obligations. Despite potential backlash, she remains resolute in her mission.
She is not alone in this endeavor. In her efforts, Lake shared a letter from House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, along with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia. The letter demands comprehensive records from USAGM regarding foreign hires, any conflicts of interest, and its approach to disinformation and national security issues.
Trump’s Commentary on Voice of America
President Donald Trump took to social media to voice his criticisms, questioning why any Republican would support what he labels a Democrat mouthpiece. He characterized VOA as a total failure, advising Republicans to oppose its funding.
Lake elaborated on her discontent with USAGM, going on to say, “It’s really like a rotten piece of fish. You’re looking at it, and you’re saying, ‘Is there anything we can pull out of here and eat?’ It’s best to just scrap the whole thing and start over.” Her comments reflect her dissatisfaction with the agency’s current state.
Concerns Over Foreign Influence
Lake argued that USAGM has strayed from its core mission of promoting American values worldwide. She pointed fingers at hostile entities, claiming that the Chinese Communist Party has undue editorial influence over the content produced by USAGM.
“The [Chinese Communist Party] has more control over what we put out editorially than people who are management at the agency,” Lake asserted. She raised the alarm about the potential employment of staff members who might have acted on behalf of these foreign interests, indicating that investigations are ongoing to uncover the truth.
Financial Management and Oversight Issues
Lake accused USAGM and its subsidiaries, including Radio Free Asia and the Open Technology Fund, of resisting oversight and obstructing basic financial reviews. She expressed frustration, stating, “Nearly $400 million, the hard-earned taxpayer dollars of hard-working American people, are going to these grantees. They’ve stonewalled us from getting any information until the eleventh hour.”
While this allegation drew attention, Lake confirmed that USAGM’s representatives finally agreed to allow scrutiny of their financial operations.
Support and Opposition in Congress
Lake received backing from some Republican colleagues on the committee, including Rep. Tim Burchett from Tennessee, who claimed that the agency should have been shut down years ago. Burchett warned that clinging to outdated practices felt futile.
In agreement, Lake remarked, “It’s a relic,” signaling her ambition to modernize the organization.
However, her opponents chimed in with strong objections. Democrats accused her of threatening a critical strategic asset while echoing rhetoric often associated with Chinese criticisms of VOA.
Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, confronted Lake, suggesting that her motivations are politically charged and serve propaganda purposes for the Trump administration. She asserted that Lake has lost credibility and called her conduct misleading.
The Debate Over Global Influence
Rep. Julie Johnson of Texas countered Lake’s assertions by claiming that significant job losses could diminish the U.S. cultural impact across the globe. She emphasized that millions rely on VOA for news.
Lake countered with skepticism about the agency’s own statistics, stating, “Those are government numbers. And I don’t trust those numbers.” This exchange underscored the tension between differing viewpoints on governmental credibility.
Future of USAGM
Despite opposition, Lake defended her push for budget cuts as following legal and sensible guidelines. She explained, “We are doing what is statutorily required, and that’s what we’re going to do.” Her commitment reflects her approach to ensure America’s foreign communication align with its principles.
Concerns were raised regarding how staff reductions might weaken U.S. influence in volatile regions like Iran and North Korea. In response, Lake argued for operating with a more streamlined workforce, stating that a reduction was long overdue and that many positions were redundant.
An Inefficient Legacy
Rep. Brian Mast from Florida emphasized the contrast in funding, illustrating that organizations like iHeartMedia manage national operations efficiently with a budget far lower than USAGM’s nearly $1 billion funding.
In closing, Lake conveyed a definitive message about her direction for USAGM, stating, “We can do this smarter, leaner and with loyalty to American values.” Lake’s assertive standpoint insists on dramatic transformation within the agency as she moves forward with her plans.
