House GOP Chair Investigates Allegations of Corruption at U.S. Media Agency

In an exclusive report, House GOP firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene, representing Georgia, has launched a probing investigation into claimed gross negligence and rampant cronyism at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. This government entity, run by veterans from traditional media, has come under fire for its alleged mismanagement.

Greene asserts that the practices at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, known as USAGM, pose a significant threat to national security. Her comments to Fox News Digital underline her concern over the agency’s integrity and governance.

USAGM manages numerous radio, television, and digital media platforms globally, including the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Established in 1999, it has drawn much of its workforce from longstanding mainstream media outlets, with past executives hailing from organizations like MSNBC and NPR.

Previous Leadership Criticizes USAGM

Kari Lake, a former senior advisor to the Trump administration and overseer of USAGM, has labeled the agency as irretrievably broken. In her view, it is a major liability for American taxpayers, posing serious national security risks.

Recently, President Donald Trump took decisive action by signing an executive order to streamline federal operations, directing the dismantlement of USAGM alongside six additional government offices.

Calls for Transparency in Investigations

Before any operational shutdown, Greene is urging for essential records from the agency to be submitted to Congress. She seeks to provide a clearer picture of severe allegations involving corruption, financial mismanagement, and breaches of national security protocols.

In a letter acquired by Fox News Digital, Greene mentioned that over the last ten years, various government offices have identified egregious negligence and deliberate breaches of national security practices. These infractions have allegedly resulted in the unauthorized access to sensitive data by federal employees.

Independent Investigations Confirm Serious Misconduct

Greene references a 2020 investigation conducted by the independent firm McGuireWoods, which corroborated whistleblower accounts of extensive mismanagement and corruption within the agency. Such findings have raised alarm among lawmakers and analysts alike.

Reportedly, abuses included unauthorized distributions of J-1 visas and the awarding of substantial contracts through the Open Technology Fund to associates related to the agency’s officials. Greene asserted that such actions exhibited blatant conflicts of interest.

Moreover, the inquiry highlighted allegations of senior officials erasing entire computer hard drives before they were submitted to investigators. This maneuvering has raised substantial concerns regarding the agency’s transparency and accountability.

Rehiring Controversies Layer Concerns

Although those directly responsible faced termination during the initial Trump administration, Greene reveals that nearly all have returned to their positions under the Biden administration. This reintegration, according to Greene, has allowed individuals implicated in substantial misconduct to continue their work without facing consequences.

She has expressed that this practice illustrates a wider issue of accountability within federal agencies. Her efforts aim to ensure that those who engage in corrupt practices do not escape scrutiny or punishment.

Demanding Accountability and Transparency

Greene is insisting on access to all grant agreements related to the Open Technology Fund, as well as settlement agreements involving parties named in the McGuireWoods report. She is particularly interested in any communications or evidence Lake deems relevant to the investigation.

In Greene’s perspective, the extensive cronyism at USAGM has led to committees and agency officials issuing corrupt contracts to friends and family members, while sidestepping safety protocols and obstructing investigations into wrongdoing. It is a pattern that she believes cannot be ignored.

Greene emphasized that the Biden administration’s reemployment of previously dismissed officials not only insults taxpayers but also signifies a direct threat to national security. She is determined to ensure that no federal entity can conceal illegal actions or shield wrongdoers from facing the repercussions of their actions.

Looking Toward Reform

Greene’s ongoing commitment to investigating USAGM reflects a broader call for reform within government media agencies. Her strong stance and demands for accountability resonate with a growing concern about transparency and effective governance in federal agencies.

She remains vigilant against any attempts by the Biden administration to obscure wrongdoing. Greene’s commitment to uncovering the truth may play a pivotal role in reshaping how government media operates and increases scrutiny on agency practices. The implications of her findings may influence opinions on federal governance and media integrity in the future.

Fox News Digital politics reporter Emma Colton contributed to this report.