Voice of America Shutdown Costs $1.6 Million Weekly as 420 Employees Remain on Paid Leave
Over a year following the dismantling of Voice of America (VOA) by the Trump administration, taxpayers are facing an estimated weekly expense of $1.6 million, according to the Office of the Inspector General. As of July 2026, 420 employees of VOA were still on paid administrative leave, resulting in an annual cost of approximately $82.8 million. Prior to the cuts in March 2025, VOA reached an audience of more than 361 million across 49 languages. The report revealed that USAGM failed to adequately evaluate the consequences of personnel loss and could not substantiate 99% of the documentation for disposed equipment. In March 2026, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth deemed Trump's efforts to reduce USAGM unlawful, mandating the reinstatement of over 1,000 employees.
Key facts
- Voice of America was dismantled by the Trump administration in March 2025.
- As of July 2026, about 420 VOA employees remained on paid administrative leave, costing an estimated $1.6 million per week.
- The annual cost of the paid leave is estimated at $82.8 million.
- The Office of the Inspector General found USAGM could not demonstrate it assessed the impact of losing experienced personnel.
- USAGM could not verify 99% of documentation supporting the disposal of broadcasting equipment, infrastructure, and property.
- In March 2026, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Trump's effort to wind down USAGM was unlawful and ordered more than 1,000 employees back to work.
- Before the shutdown, VOA broadcast to over 361 million people globally in 49 languages.
- According to the agency, 994 of 1,147 federal employees were placed on administrative leave and 594 of 602 contract workers were cut.
Entities
Artists
- Dan Robinson
- Donald Trump
- Royce Lamberth
Institutions
- Voice of America
- United States Agency for Global Media
- Office of the Inspector General
- Washington Times
Locations
- United States