House Oversight Committee uncovers shocking national security risks at U.S. Agency for Global Media, where inadequately vetted foreign nationals from hostile countries were hired through visa abuse, potentially enabling espionage against America.
Key Takeaways
- House Oversight Committee found USAGM hired over 1,500 individuals for sensitive roles based on falsified background checks, creating major security vulnerabilities
- The agency misused J-1 visa programs to employ foreign nationals from adversarial countries who could have been replaced by American citizens
- The Biden administration reportedly reversed Trump-era security reforms despite warnings from intelligence agencies, worsening vulnerabilities
- USAGM officials are being investigated for awarding grants despite significant conflicts of interest, indicating systematic governance failures
- The nearly $1 billion agency meant to promote freedom abroad is now under scrutiny for potentially enabling foreign espionage against America
Critical Security Failures Exposed at Taxpayer-Funded Media Agency
President Trump’s administration is facing yet another deep state cleanup operation as House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Subcommittee Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene launched a comprehensive investigation into the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The probe focuses on alarming security vulnerabilities, visa program abuse, and conflicts of interest within the agency responsible for America’s international broadcasting efforts. With nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funding, USAGM oversees Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and other networks supposedly dedicated to promoting freedom and democracy worldwide.
“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is conducting oversight of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, especially longstanding security vulnerabilities exacerbated by mismanagement—a situation that persisted for years at the agency. The Committee has reason to believe that USAGM routinely and improperly utilized visa programs to employ poorly vetted foreign nationals, including from nations adverse to the United States. The Committee is also aware that USAGM officials abused their authority when awarding grants, including by awarding them to entities despite major conflicts of interest. The USAGM has a budget of just less than $1 billion to fulfill its mission of ‘inform[ing], engag[ing] and connect[ing] people around the world in support of freedom and democracy.’ The agency has two ‘federal networks’—Voice of America and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting—and five purportedly independent ‘networks and grantees,’ which include Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia (RFA), Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Open Technology Fund (OTF), and Frontline Media Fund” stated the lawmakers.
Visa Abuse Creating Pathways for Foreign Espionage
The investigation has uncovered a particularly troubling misuse of the J-1 visa program, which USAGM allegedly exploited to hire foreign nationals for positions that could have been filled by American citizens. These foreign employees, many from countries hostile to American interests, were insufficiently vetted before gaining access to sensitive information and systems. The practice created a perfect storm of security vulnerabilities that could have enabled foreign intelligence operations against the United States. Multiple investigations revealed over 1,500 individuals were employed in sensitive roles based on falsified or inadequate background checks.
“USAGM misused the J-1 visa program to bring in foreign nationals for journalistic roles that could have been filled by American citizens. These practices, combined with inadequate vetting, raise concerns that USAGM may have enabled foreign espionage and exposed U.S. national security to significant threats,” warned Mr. Comer and Ms. Greene.
The security issues appear to have worsened under the Biden administration, which reportedly reversed critical security measures implemented during President Trump’s first term. These reforms had been specifically requested by the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to address glaring vulnerabilities, but were dismantled as part of the Biden administration’s pattern of undoing Trump-era security protections. President Trump has since taken action through an Executive Order in March to eliminate nonstatutory components of USAGM, triggering legal battles and personnel changes.
Conflicts of Interest and Financial Misconduct
Beyond the security breaches, the investigation has also targeted financial mismanagement and abuse of authority within USAGM. Committee leaders have documented “persistent abuses” in how agency officials awarded grants, including clear conflicts of interest that violate federal ethics standards. The committee’s letter to USAGM Senior Advisor Kari Lake demands comprehensive documentation of these practices, including full financial records, personnel locations, and details of conflicts of interest in grant-making decisions. This systematic breakdown in governance raises serious questions about oversight and accountability.
“House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) are seeking answers from Kari Lake, the senior advisor at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), regarding concerns about foreign influence.” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene confirmed.
The investigation comes at a critical time, as approximately 75 Farsi-speaking VOA staffers were recently recalled from administrative leave to cover the Iran-Israel conflict. This operational necessity highlights the agency’s continued importance in global information operations despite its serious internal problems. Chairman Comer and Chairwoman Greene have set a July 1 deadline for USAGM to provide the requested information, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these issues before further damage can be done to national security and taxpayer interests.
