NYT: Trump team axes hundreds of Voice of America employees Puts headquarters up for sale

The Trump administration has sacked nearly 600 contractors at Voice of America (VOA), amounting to over a third of its workforce, as part of a broader effort to scale back the federally funded broadcaster.

Most of those dismissed were journalists, many from countries with repressive regimes, whose US immigration status is now at risk, Caliber.Az reports via The New York Times (NYT).

The move follows the administration’s decision to put VOA’s Washington headquarters up for sale and comes despite a federal court ruling requiring the government to maintain the broadcaster’s news programming.

VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, who has sued to stop the cuts, described the firings as “inexplicable.” Meanwhile, Kari Lake, a senior Trump ally leading the restructuring, defended the move as part of a drive to reduce bureaucracy and revamp the agency.

Voice of America, founded in 1942 to deliver independent news to audiences in countries lacking press freedom, has had much of its service suspended since mid-March. While some language sections have resumed, its English platform remains inactive.

By Aghakazim Guliyev