Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to significantly reduce the operations of seven federal agencies, including the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America and other government-funded media outlets globally.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the order, signed on March 14, mandates agency heads primarily focused on labor disputes, homelessness, and community development to eliminate non-mandated activities. These agencies are required to submit detailed plans within seven days to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, specifying which functions are legally required.

The affected agencies include the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Minority Business Development Agency. USAGM, which has a budget of approximately $270 million, funds media outlets such as Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Free Asia. It employs over 2,000 staff and reaches an estimated audience of 361 million people in 49 languages.

Trump has had a contentious relationship with USAGM since his first term, expressing concerns about its programming and staffing decisions. The president has stated that these changes are part of his efforts to streamline government operations and reduce taxpayer spending.

The decision aligns with broader initiatives supported by his billionaire friend, Elon Musk, who has advocated for cutting government programs and reducing federal staff. However, some measures have faced legal challenges, including a pair of rulings on March 13 that annulled the government's actions and mandated the reinstatement of thousands of federal employees who were fired this year.