Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting US Media Outlets Designated as Foreign Agents

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dissolve seven federal agencies, including the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees media outlets such as Radio Liberty and Voice of America. These outlets have been classified as foreign agents in Russia. The executive order, published on March 14, 2025, on the White House website, forms part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy, a campaign that has intensified during Trump’s second term.

The executive order outlines the need to minimize agency activities, eliminate functions not mandated by law, and reduce staffing to the lowest permissible levels. Agency heads are required to submit compliance reports to the White House Budget Office by March 21.

In addition to USAGM, the order encompasses various entities involved in diverse areas, including labor dispute resolution, museum and library support, and programs aimed at assisting the homeless and fostering economic development. The Trump administration argues that these measures will significantly cut government spending and enhance governance efficiency.

Operating with a budget of approximately $950 million in 2025, USAGM manages media outlets that broadcast in 63 languages and reach an audience of 420 million people each week. However, Trump has previously criticized the agency for its independent editorial stance, labeling it as insufficiently loyal during his first term.

In February 2025, Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE), described Voice of America and Radio Free Europe as “obsolete,” suggesting their closure could save taxpayers up to a billion dollars. The subsequent appointment of Kari Lake, a Trump supporter, as a special adviser to USAGM raised further concerns about the administration’s intent to reshape media narratives to align with its interests.

The executive order and its implications for USAGM and its affiliated media outlets have sparked debate about government oversight of media and the future of independent journalism in the U.S.