The Trump administration has reportedly revoked all federal funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), alongside significant layoffs at Voice of America, multiple sources claim.
Despite the funding cut, EuroPravda reports that RFE/RL intends to continue operations and hopes to see financial support reinstated.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), representatives of the broadcaster learned about the decision through a letter signed by Kari Lake, an adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, RFE/RL, and other media outlets.
“On Saturday, Lake sent a letter—reviewed by WSJ—addressed to RFE/RL’s Chief Financial Officer, Joseph Lataille, informing him of the termination of federal grant funding,” the publication reported.
American investigative journalist Tara Palmeri shared the letter’s contents, which confirmed the immediate termination of specific grants, “as well as any other grants from the Agency.” Kari Lake justified the move by stating that “this funding no longer aligns with the Agency’s priorities,” citing Trump’s March 14 executive order on “further reducing federal bureaucracy.”
The letter allows for an appeal against the decision, in line with legal procedures. Meanwhile, sources at RFE/RL, quoted by EuroPravda, acknowledge the funding halt but remain committed to keeping their language services operational while negotiating with Washington for a reversal.
