When the VOA’s Director Got the Red‑Push Policy
So, folks, someone named Michael Abramowitz just took his side to a federal filing that is basically screaming: The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is trying to fire me without a proper reason. You’d think that would hit the news like a wall‑opener, right? Instead, it seems to have barely ruffled the Political Watermelon that is the Beltway. Lucky, huh? If you love watching the big government broadcasting machine keep its curtain all shut and its inner workings full of smoke, this quiet epicenter is just the perfect status quo.
Remember the 2021 Shake‑Up?
Back before this, I got a call from the former VOA chief, Robert Reilly, on the first day of Joe Biden’s rise to the White House on January 20, 2021. He said, “The guards are escorting me out of the building right now.”
That same evening, the new administration didn’t just decide to make a few changes; they purged the entire roster of Trump‑appointed leaders across the USAGM—VOA, RFE/RL, RFA, and MBN—all leadership and boards disbanded in a single go.
Why the Media Was All Cheers
- They celebrated a “return to experienced journalists”.
- Hold up: the real message was that the right folks were back in control.
- Talk-up and headline: “The golden era of journalism has re‑launched.”
In Short, the Narrative is a Vague Muscle Game
The whole point: keep the power under the marquee and look like you’re giving the world something new and better. At the same time, the behind‑the‑scenes swings keep the public guessing, carrying the illusion of the “creative renewal” while the real story is that the veiled bosses remain unswilling to let the world see the ropes they pull.
Why VOA’s Latest Drama feels Like a Hollywood Plot Twist
Picture this: a language‑rich megaphone that’s been turned into a political speargun. That’s the rumor mill’s take on the new Voice of America (VOA) under President Biden, and it isn’t just about drama—there’s policy at stake.
Who’s Behind the Mic?
Enter Michael Abramowitz, a former Washington Post editor who got a solo in the USAGM shindig. Trump’s faithful see him as Washington’s Do‑Jung‑esque liaison, while his loyalists think he’s simply a pro‑journalism, anti‑politics crusader. In reality, Washington’s media‑politics duo are a team, and the issue is less about the man and more about the structure that silences or sparks voices.
The Trump–Biden Edition of the Story
Trump, reading the playbook, set his sights on VOA’s “strategic value.” After his 2024 victory, he appointed Kari Lake—a seasoned broadcaster—to steer the station back to its core: “telling America’s story credibly.” But the institution is now stacked with “reforms” baked in under Biden—no CEO can unilaterally get fired, and the top authority sits on a seven‑member International Broadcasting Advisory Board. There’s a catch: the board’s meeting cadence is as rare as a lunar eclipse, and a full Senate confirmation slows the process to a tortoise’s pace.
The “Redundancy” of Law
- Agencies can no longer remove a chief executive at will.
- No interim chief can be appointed; the director automatically steps in.
- The board’s makeup includes the Secretary of State and other appointed members, and its collective wisdom is only summoned from time to time.
That’s permanent power over partisan change. The law has been twisted into a long‑term backup that outlasts elections.
A Two‑Front Battle Still In Motion
Trump’s own international‑strategy guy, Michael Pack, had to tangle with Senate delays for three and a half years before he could step in. Kari Lake, on arrival, discovered a maze of mid‑campaign hold‑ups. They all share one goal: keep the old machine humming while shaking the newly appointed leadership into submission.
The result? A legal showdown with Abramowitz, who’s picked his battles over hands‑on. His lawsuit, while flashy, is just the tip of the iceberg. The real problem is the class of executives that keep re‑writing rules instead of courting the electorate.
When Does the Line Get Drawn?
What’s at risk is the very mission of VOA: a tool that tells millions abroad how America truly feels. If a domestic political agenda slips in, the agency could become a soft‑power tool turned inward—an unintentional propaganda loop. The charter that originally shielded VOA from political overreach is being brushed aside by new statutes that allow unseen control.
Fixing the System—The Cheat Sheet
Three simple ingredients can fix it:
- Restore electoral accountability so the public sees a direct line from votes to leadership actions.
- Set clear timelines for Ssenate confirmations to prevent endless postponements.
- Re‑center VOA on telling America’s story abroad, measured by independent audits every year.
In short, a modern makeover that keeps the agency honest, accountable, and ready to serve the public’s interest.
The Bottom Line
Is there a trade‑off between the “pure” editorial independence and a “politically polished” media output? The answer lies not in ceding control to a president but in keeping the bureaucracy transparent, rule‑bound, and responsive to elections. The policy choice is simple: politics inside a transparent shell or politics with hidden skeletons. We’ll choose the former.
Abraham’s lawsuit is merely a symptom—be it a newspaper scandal or a governmental puzzle. The real issue is the governance model that prioritizes legal maneuvering over democratic change. If the public can’t steer the agency’s direction through votes, the so‑called “deep state” is not something fancy; it’s everyday. So let Kari Lake try to fix the problem, or let her’s vision fail—straight up and out in public eye.