Trump Administration Cuts Hundreds More Jobs at Voice of America Despite Democratic Opposition
Trump Administration Cuts Hundreds More Jobs at Voice of America Despite Democratic Opposition
Netanyahu Claims Iran’s New Leader Can’t Show His Face in Public Following Tehran Statement
"I will not give life insurance policies to any Iranian leader. And I will not give precise information about what we are planning or will implement," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on March 12, when asked whether Tel Aviv had any plans to respond to Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, son of Ali Khamenei, was elected on March 8 as the next Supreme Leader to lead the country amid conflict with the US and Israel. He is Iran's third Supreme Leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Israel killed Ali Khamenei in an airstrike on February 28 and now his successor "cannot appear in public."
Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared before the people since his election as Supreme Leader. During his swearing-in ceremony in Tehran, Iranian officials only displayed a portrait of him. The US and Israel had previously publicly threatened to assassinate whoever was elected Supreme Leader of Iran.
On March 12, Iran released Khamenei's first message, but it was in written form read on television. Mojtaba did not appear via video or audio.
In this message, Khamenei declared that Iran would continue its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to increase pressure on its adversaries and to make the US and Israel pay for the damage they have caused.
Rumors about Mojtaba being injured in the US-Israel bombing campaign have been circulating for days. The New York Times, citing three unnamed Iranian officials, said that Mojtaba was "wounded, including a leg injury" on February 28th, the first day of the US-Israel operation. They said he was conscious and "sheltering in a heavily guarded location with limited communication."
Yousef Pezeshkian, Iranian government advisor and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, said on March 11th that the Supreme Leader was "safe and well."
According to the Israeli Prime Minister, his military had "dealt a heavy blow" to Iran and its proxy forces, significantly weakening their capabilities. He declared Israel "committed to completing this task," adding that Tel Aviv had targeted Iranian nuclear scientists, as it had done last year.
Netanyahu said Israel is also considering launching a ground operation in southern Lebanon to attack the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.
When asked whether Israel plans to take control of any territory in Lebanon, Netanyahu said he had urged the Lebanese government to keep its commitment to disarm Hezbollah.
"If they don't, we will have no choice but to resolve the issue ourselves. I won't specify whether it's a ground operation or some other measure, but I can assure you that Hezbollah will pay a very heavy price," Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized.
The Middle East has been engulfed in conflict since the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at Israel and US bases in Arab countries in the region.
Iran also attacked key infrastructure in Gulf countries, including oil and gas facilities, as well as ships attempting to pass through or anchor in the Strait of Hormuz. The fighting has killed around 2,000 people, mostly in Iran, and has affected many countries in the region as well as the global economy.
Trump Administration Cuts Hundreds More Jobs at Voice of America Despite Democratic Opposition
The Trump administration has announced another round of major job cuts at Voice of America (VOA), eliminating hundreds of additional positions in a move that has sparked strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers and media advocates.
According to officials familiar with the decision, the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort within the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the federal organization that oversees Voice of America and several other government-funded international broadcasters.
The administration says the changes are intended to streamline operations, reduce spending, and modernize the agency’s global media strategy.
Supporters of the move argue that the restructuring is necessary to improve efficiency and ensure that taxpayer funds are being used effectively.
Administration officials have suggested that VOA needs to adapt to a rapidly changing media environment, where digital platforms and social media now play a much larger role in global communication.
However, the decision has been met with fierce opposition from many Democrats in Congress. Critics say the layoffs could weaken the United States’ ability to provide independent news and information to audiences around the world, particularly in countries where press freedom is limited.
Several lawmakers expressed concern that reducing staff at Voice of America could undermine the organization’s mission to promote democratic values and counter disinformation from authoritarian governments.
They also warned that large-scale job cuts may damage morale within the agency and disrupt ongoing journalism projects.
Media advocates and press freedom organizations have echoed those concerns. Some argue that VOA plays a critical role in delivering reliable news to millions of listeners and viewers across the globe, and that cutting resources could limit its effectiveness at a time when information warfare and propaganda are becoming more widespread.
Despite the criticism, the administration has defended the move as part of a long-term plan to reshape government-funded broadcasting.
Officials say the restructuring will focus more heavily on digital distribution, faster news delivery, and reaching younger international audiences.
For now, the future direction of Voice of America remains uncertain. As debate continues in Washington, both supporters and critics agree that the outcome could have lasting implications for the role of U.S. international broadcasting in the years ahead.
