Trump Administration’s Dismissal of VOA Director Signals Authoritarian Control Over U.S. Broadcasting
Michael Abramowitz, the director of Voice of America (VOA), has been dismissed after refusing an “illegal” reassignment to a low-level position in North Carolina, as outlined in a recent court filing. Abramowitz was informed of his termination in a letter from John A. Zadrozny, a senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which supervises VOA. His firing occurred shortly after he rejected a directive to relocate, arguing that such a move violated federal law requiring International Broadcasting Advisory Board approval for any removal of the VOA director.
The Trump administration’s actions against Abramowitz represent a continued effort to consolidate control over U.S. government broadcasting operations. Kari Lake, who Trump appointed to lead VOA, remains unable to occupy her role fully due to Trump’s maneuvering to dissolve the Senate-confirmed board meant to oversee such appointments. As a result, Lake has been functioning unofficially as the effective head of the agency.
Abramowitz’s termination follows his lawsuit against the government launched in March, prompted by Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The current case is still pending in federal court. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has criticized the government’s decision-making and labeled the ultimatum presented to Abramowitz as “shocking,” underscoring the precarious situation as it unfolds during ongoing litigation.
In his statements, Abramowitz emphasized that his fight was not about retaining a government position but about defending the rule of law and the crucial role that VOA plays in U.S. national security interests. This conflict is indicative of broader authoritarian practices exemplified by the Trump administration, as it attempts to exert control over independent government entities and erode institutional checks that preserve democratic governance.
As more developments unfold in this case, the implications of Abramowitz’s firing extend beyond his individual career, raising significant concerns about the integrity of U.S. media and the independence of voice in global broadcasting. The future of the VOA, an essential player in international communications, hangs in the balance amid these political maneuvers.