House Republicans probe how US media agency vets its foreign employees

The U.S. Agency for Global Media runs the federal networks of Voice of America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and five independent networks Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Open Technology Fund, and Frontline Media Fund.

By Misty Severi

Published: June 17, 2025 5:20pm

Two Republican House Oversight committee members on Tuesday launched an investigation into how the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) vetted foreign nationals it employed.

The investigation, which was opened by House Oversight Chairman James Comer and House Oversight subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, will look into reports that the agency employed foreign nationals from countries that were hostile to the U.S. and that officials awarded grants to entities with alleged conflicts of interest.

The USAGM operates the federal networks of Voice of America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, and five independent networks Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia (RFA), Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Open Technology Fund (OTF), and Frontline Media Fund.

“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is conducting oversight of the [USAGM], especially longstanding security vulnerabilities exacerbated by mismanagement—a situation that persisted for years at the agency,” the lawmakers wrote to USAGM advisor Kari Lake. “Multiple investigations have revealed persistent abuses at the USAGM, its networks and grantees. The U.S. Department of State’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) uncovered serious security vulnerabilities at USAGM."

The letter also requested documents and information regarding whether the agency is still posing national security concerns through its vetting and hiring processes, or engaging in unethical behavior, per the Washington Times.

The documents would be related to allegations that USAGM hired more than "1,500 individuals in sensitive national security roles based on falsified or unauthorized background checks."

The lawmakers also accused the agency of misusing the J-1 visa program that gave journalism jobs to foreign nationals that could have been filled by Americans.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.