Ioana Dorhoi, PhD – Government Relations and Public Affairs

by Ioana Monica Dorhoi, PhD

March 15, 2025

In a sweeping executive order issued Friday, President Donald Trump has directed the elimination or drastic reduction of seven federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America and other government-funded media outlets. The order instructs agency heads to terminate all functions not explicitly required by law and to reduce statutory functions and staffing to the bare minimum necessary for compliance.

The decision aligns with Mr. Trump’s longstanding efforts to shrink the federal government and limit the scope of independent agencies. However, legal and political challenges may complicate implementation, particularly for USAGM, which operates under a congressional mandate. Established to provide independent journalism to global audiences, USAGM oversees major international broadcasters such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia. With a $270 million budget and operations in 49 languages, these outlets reach an estimated 361 million people worldwide weekly. Critics fear the order could undermine their mission by restricting editorial independence and cutting key funding.

Targeting Media and Other Key Institutions

Mr. Trump has frequently criticized Voice of America and other USAGM media organizations, accusing them of bias. His latest move follows the appointment of Kari Lake, a staunch Trump ally, as a special adviser at the agency. Analysts view these actions as part of a broader effort to reshape federal agencies in alignment with the administration’s ideological priorities.

In addition to USAGM, the executive order targets six other entities:
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service – Focuses on resolving labor disputes and preventing work stoppages.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars – A prominent nonpartisan think tank dedicated to global research and policy analysis.

Institute of Museum and Library Services – Provides financial support to libraries, museums, and archives nationwide.

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness – Coordinates federal efforts to prevent and address homelessness.
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund – Offers economic assistance to underprivileged communities.
Minority Business Development Agency – Works to support and grow minority-owned businesses.
Each agency’s leadership has seven days to submit a compliance plan to the Office of Management and Budget, outlining which functions will remain operational under the statutory minimum requirements.

Implications and Challenges
The order is expected to face significant pushback from Congress, advocacy groups, and potentially the courts. Many of the targeted agencies have longstanding bipartisan support, particularly those focused on economic development, labor relations, and homelessness prevention. The restructuring efforts mirror broader federal workforce reductions under Mr. Trump, including the Education Department’s recent termination of over 1,300 employees.
Additionally, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has been championing drastic federal downsizing, has played a key role in advocating for these cuts. While Musk’s department claims billions in taxpayer savings, critics argue that its data has been unreliable and that court rulings have already reinstated thousands of dismissed federal employees.
With legal battles likely ahead, the fate of these agencies remains uncertain.

Whether the executive order succeeds or faces judicial and congressional roadblocks, the move signals a renewed effort to reshape the role and reach of federal institutions under the Trump administration.