Washington, D.C. –Kari Lake, the Trump administration’s Senior Advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), has unleashed a scathing critique of the agency, calling it “a giant rot and burden to the American taxpayer” and a “national security risk” that is “irretrievably broken.”
In a statement that has sent shockwaves through Washington, Lake lambasted the agency overseeing Voice of America and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters, accusing it of systemic dysfunction despite “bright spots” of talented and dedicated personnel.
“From top-to-bottom, this agency is a mess,” Lake declared. “While there are exceptions—public servants who work hard and believe in the mission—the rule is waste, inefficiency, and a structure that’s beyond repair.” Her comments, delivered with her characteristic bluntness, underscore a broader push by the Trump administration to overhaul federal agencies deemed bloated or misaligned with its priorities.
Lake’s critique aligns with an earlier investigation by Shore News Network, which in February 2025 reached out to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—led by billionaire Elon Musk—to highlight what it described as “massive points of fraud and waste” within USAGM.
The New Jersey-based outlet, known for its populist bent, detailed allegations of lavish spending, including a billion dollar annual budget that included a Washington, D.C., high-rise under the Biden administration, alongside programs it claimed “enabled bad behavior” and turned a blind eye to misconduct while profiting from it.
“This is government working for the people to make sure we’re not wasting money on ridiculous programs,” Shore News Network stated in response to DOGE’s engagement. “Thank you to Elon Musk and DOGE for listening to the small guys like us.”
Since taking her role in early March, Lake has positioned herself as a fiscal hawk within USAGM, vowing to root out corruption and excess. On March 14, she exposed the agency’s costly D.C. lease on X, questioning its necessity and promising swift action. Her efforts dovetail with DOGE’s broader mission to slash federal spending—estimated by Musk at up to $2 trillion annually—through aggressive cuts to contracts, staff, and real estate. USAGM, which reaches over 420 million people weekly across 100 countries, has already faced DOGE-driven scrutiny, with reports of canceled contracts and probes into its journalists’ social media activity.
Lake’s harsh assessment has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters, including Trump loyalists, applaud her for shining a light on what they see as a bloated bureaucracy. “
Kari Lake is doing what the swamp hates—calling out waste and saving taxpayer dollars,” one X user posted.
Critics, however, warn that dismantling USAGM risks undermining its role as a counterweight to authoritarian propaganda, a mission dating back to its World War II origins combating Nazi disinformation. “This is a reckless attack on a vital institution,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who rallied with USAGM supporters in February against DOGE’s cuts.
The Trump administration, bolstered by DOGE’s influence, shows no signs of slowing its overhaul. Musk, who has called for shutting down USAGM components like Voice of America, has reportedly clashed with administration figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio over staffing decisions, yet retains Trump’s backing. Lake, pending confirmation as USAGM head, has promised a “modernized” agency, though details remain sparse.
As of March 17, USAGM’s future hangs in the balance. With Lake and DOGE driving the charge, the agency faces an existential reckoning—one that could reshape America’s voice abroad or, as detractors fear, silence it altogether. For now, Lake’s words ring clear: the status quo is no longer an option.