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On April 10, 2020, the [[White House]] published an article in its daily newsletter critical of VOA coverage of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|coronavirus pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2020 |title=Amid a Pandemic, Voice of America Spends Your Money to Promote Foreign Propaganda |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/amid-a-pandemic-voice-of-america-spends-your-money-to-promote-foreign-propaganda/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120200021/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/amid-a-pandemic-voice-of-america-spends-your-money-to-promote-foreign-propaganda/ |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2020 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |quote=Even worse, while much of the U.S. media takes its lead from China, VOA went one step further: It created graphics with Communist government statistics to compare China's Coronavirus death toll to America's.}}</ref> Emails revealed in a [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|Freedom of Information Act]] request showed [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) press official Michawn Rich had sent a memo to agency employees stating in part, "as a rule, do not send up [interview] requests for [VOA contributor] [[Greta Van Susteren]] or anyone affiliated with Voice of America", referencing the White House story.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jerreat |first=Jessica |date=June 14, 2020 |title=CDC Media Guidance Blacklists VOA Interview Requests |publisher=Voice of America |url=https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/cdc-media-guidance-blacklists-voa-interview-requests |url-status=live |access-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903204825/https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/cdc-media-guidance-blacklists-voa-interview-requests |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> On April 30, ''The Washington Post'', referring to [[Steven L. Herman]] who covered the White House for VOA, reported Vice President [[Mike Pence]]'s office "threatened to retaliate against a reporter who revealed that Pence's office had told journalists they would need masks for Pence's visit to the [[Mayo Clinic]] – a requirement Pence himself did not follow."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=April 30, 2020 |title=Pence's staff threatens action against reporter who tweeted about visit to clinic without surgical mask |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/pence-staff-threatens-action-against-reporter-who-tweeted-about-visit-to-clinic-without-surgical-mask/2020/04/30/27c63056-8b0a-11ea-9df-990f9dcc71fc_story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830161659/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/pence-staff-threatens-action-against-reporter-who-tweeted-about-visit-to-clinic-without-surgical-mask/2020/04/30/27c63056-8b0a-11ea-9dfd-990f9dcc71fc_story.html |archive-date=August 30, 2020}}</ref>
On April 10, 2020, the [[White House]] published an article in its daily newsletter critical of VOA coverage of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|coronavirus pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2020 |title=Amid a Pandemic, Voice of America Spends Your Money to Promote Foreign Propaganda |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/amid-a-pandemic-voice-of-america-spends-your-money-to-promote-foreign-propaganda/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120200021/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/articles/amid-a-pandemic-voice-of-america-spends-your-money-to-promote-foreign-propaganda/ |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2020 |website=[[whitehouse.gov]] |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |quote=Even worse, while much of the U.S. media takes its lead from China, VOA went one step further: It created graphics with Communist government statistics to compare China's Coronavirus death toll to America's.}}</ref> Emails revealed in a [[Freedom of Information Act (United States)|Freedom of Information Act]] request showed [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) press official Michawn Rich had sent a memo to agency employees stating in part, "as a rule, do not send up [interview] requests for [VOA contributor] [[Greta Van Susteren]] or anyone affiliated with Voice of America", referencing the White House story.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jerreat |first=Jessica |date=June 14, 2020 |title=CDC Media Guidance Blacklists VOA Interview Requests |publisher=Voice of America |url=https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/cdc-media-guidance-blacklists-voa-interview-requests |url-status=live |access-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903204825/https://www.voanews.com/press-freedom/cdc-media-guidance-blacklists-voa-interview-requests |archive-date=September 3, 2020}}</ref> On April 30, ''The Washington Post'', referring to [[Steven L. Herman]] who covered the White House for VOA, reported Vice President [[Mike Pence]]'s office "threatened to retaliate against a reporter who revealed that Pence's office had told journalists they would need masks for Pence's visit to the [[Mayo Clinic]] – a requirement Pence himself did not follow."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=April 30, 2020 |title=Pence's staff threatens action against reporter who tweeted about visit to clinic without surgical mask |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/pence-staff-threatens-action-against-reporter-who-tweeted-about-visit-to-clinic-without-surgical-mask/2020/04/30/27c63056-8b0a-11ea-9df-990f9dcc71fc_story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830161659/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/pence-staff-threatens-action-against-reporter-who-tweeted-about-visit-to-clinic-without-surgical-mask/2020/04/30/27c63056-8b0a-11ea-9dfd-990f9dcc71fc_story.html |archive-date=August 30, 2020}}</ref>


On June 3, 2020, the US Senate confirmed [[Michael Pack]], a conservative documentaries filmmaker and close ally of [[Steve Bannon]], to serve as head of the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edmondson |first=Catie |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Senate Confirms Conservative Filmmaker to Lead U.S. Media Agency |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/senate-confirms-michael-pack-voa.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604204058/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/senate-confirms-michael-pack-voa.html |archive-date=2020-06-04}}</ref> Subsequently, Director Bennet and deputy director Sandy Sugawara resigned from VOA. [[CNN]] reported on June 16 that plans for a leadership shakeup at VOA were being discussed, including the possibility that controversial former White House aide [[Sebastian Gorka]] would be given a leadership role at VOA.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Stelter |first1=Brian |last2=Acosta |first2=Jim |date=June 16, 2020 |title=Voice of America top officials resign as Trump-appointed CEO takes over international network |work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/media/voice-of-america-top-officials-resign/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212181044/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/media/voice-of-america-top-officials-resign/index.html |archive-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref> On June 17, the heads of VOA's Middle East Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open Technology Fund were all fired, their boards were dissolved, and external communications from VOA employees were made to require approval from senior agency personnel in what one source described as an "unprecedented" move, while [[Jeffrey Scott Shapiro]], like Pack a Bannon ally, was rumored to be in line to head the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hansler |first1=Jennifer |last2=Stelter |first2=Brian |date=June 18, 2020 |title='Wednesday night massacre' as Trump appointee takes over at global media agency |work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/media/us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215031602/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/media/us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack/index.html |archive-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> Four former members of the advisory boards filed suit challenging Pack's standing to fire them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Citing A Breached 'Firewall,' Media Leaders Sue U.S. Official Over Firings |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882654831/citing-a-breached-firewall-media-leaders-sue-u-s-official-over-firings |url-status=live |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628201042/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882654831/citing-a-breached-firewall-media-leaders-sue-u-s-official-over-firings |archive-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref> On July 9, NPR reported VOA would not renew the work visas of dozens of non-resident reporters, many of whom could face repercussions in their home countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=July 9, 2020 |title=U.S. Broadcasting Agency Will Not Extend Visas For Its Foreign Journalists |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889301025/u-s-broadcasting-agency-will-not-extend-visas-for-its-foreign-journalists |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710213127/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889301025/u-s-broadcasting-agency-will-not-extend-visas-for-its-foreign-journalists |archive-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> In late July, four contractors and the head of VOA's [[Urdu]]-language service were suspended after a video featuring extensive clips from a Muslim-American voter conference, including a campaign message from then-Democratic presidential candidate [[Joe Biden]], was determined not to meet editorial standards and taken down.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Deleted Biden video sets off a crisis at Voice of America |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/30/deleted-biden-video-sets-off-a-crisis-at-voice-of-america-388571 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807132338/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/30/deleted-biden-video-sets-off-a-crisis-at-voice-of-america-388571 |archive-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
On June 3, 2020, the US Senate confirmed [[Michael Pack]], a conservative documentaries filmmaker and close ally of [[Steve Bannon]], to serve as head of the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edmondson |first=Catie |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Senate Confirms Conservative Filmmaker to Lead U.S. Media Agency |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/senate-confirms-michael-pack-voa.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=June 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604204058/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/04/us/politics/senate-confirms-michael-pack-voa.html |archive-date=2020-06-04}}</ref> Subsequently, Director Bennet and deputy director Sandy Sugawara resigned from VOA. CNN reported on June 16 that plans for a leadership shakeup at VOA were being discussed, including the possibility that controversial former White House aide [[Sebastian Gorka]] would be given a leadership role at VOA.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Stelter |first1=Brian |last2=Acosta |first2=Jim |date=June 16, 2020 |title=Voice of America top officials resign as Trump-appointed CEO takes over international network |work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/media/voice-of-america-top-officials-resign/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212181044/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/15/media/voice-of-america-top-officials-resign/index.html |archive-date=December 12, 2020}}</ref> On June 17, the heads of VOA's Middle East Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open Technology Fund were all fired, their boards were dissolved, and external communications from VOA employees were made to require approval from senior agency personnel in what one source described as an "unprecedented" move, while [[Jeffrey Scott Shapiro]], like Pack a Bannon ally, was rumored to be in line to head the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hansler |first1=Jennifer |last2=Stelter |first2=Brian |date=June 18, 2020 |title='Wednesday night massacre' as Trump appointee takes over at global media agency |work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/media/us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215031602/https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/17/media/us-agency-for-global-media-michael-pack/index.html |archive-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> Four former members of the advisory boards filed suit challenging Pack's standing to fire them.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=June 26, 2020 |title=Citing A Breached 'Firewall,' Media Leaders Sue U.S. Official Over Firings |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882654831/citing-a-breached-firewall-media-leaders-sue-u-s-official-over-firings |url-status=live |access-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628201042/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882654831/citing-a-breached-firewall-media-leaders-sue-u-s-official-over-firings |archive-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref> On July 9, NPR reported VOA would not renew the work visas of dozens of non-resident reporters, many of whom could face repercussions in their home countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=July 9, 2020 |title=U.S. Broadcasting Agency Will Not Extend Visas For Its Foreign Journalists |publisher=National Public Radio |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889301025/u-s-broadcasting-agency-will-not-extend-visas-for-its-foreign-journalists |url-status=live |access-date=July 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710213127/https://www.npr.org/2020/07/09/889301025/u-s-broadcasting-agency-will-not-extend-visas-for-its-foreign-journalists |archive-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> In late July, four contractors and the head of VOA's [[Urdu]]-language service were suspended after a video featuring extensive clips from a Muslim-American voter conference, including a campaign message from then-Democratic presidential candidate [[Joe Biden]], was determined not to meet editorial standards and taken down.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Deleted Biden video sets off a crisis at Voice of America |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/30/deleted-biden-video-sets-off-a-crisis-at-voice-of-america-388571 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807132338/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/30/deleted-biden-video-sets-off-a-crisis-at-voice-of-america-388571 |archive-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>


On August 12, 2020, USAGM chief financial officer Grant Turner and general counsel David Kligerman were removed from their positions and stripped of their security clearances, reportedly for their opposition to what Turner called "gross mismanagement", along with four other senior agency officials.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Trump appointee deepens purge of U.S. global media agency |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/12/trump-purge-us-agency-global-media-394403 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815211147/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/12/trump-purge-us-agency-global-media-394403 |archive-date=August 15, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Politico]]'' reported on August 13 that Trump administration official and former shock jock [[Frank Wuco]] had been hired as a USAGM senior advisor, responsible for auditing the agency's office of policy and research.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=August 13, 2020 |title=U.S. global media agency hires shock jock who called Obama 'Kenyan' |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/13/frank-wuco-us-global-media-agency-hiring-394997 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814153622/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/13/frank-wuco-us-global-media-agency-hiring-394997 |archive-date=August 14, 2020}}</ref> As a radio host, Wuco issued insults and groundless claims against former US President Barack Obama, CIA Director [[John O. Brennan]], and Speaker of the House [[Nancy Pelosi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kakzynski |first1=Andrew |last2=Massie |first2=Chris |last3=McDermott |first3=Nathan |date=December 20, 2017 |title=Senior White House adviser at Homeland Security repeatedly promoted fringe conspiracy theories on the radio |work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/20/politics/kfile-frank-wuco-conspiracy-theories/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819183343/https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/20/politics/kfile-frank-wuco-conspiracy-theories/index.html |archive-date=August 19, 2020}}</ref> VOA's Twitter account during this period featured stories favorable to Vice President Mike Pence and White House advisor [[Ivanka Trump]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=August 14, 2020 |title=Trump administration steps up efforts to turn broadcasters into propaganda outlets |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/aug/14/trump-administration-steps-up-efforts-to-turn-broadcasters-into-propaganda-outlets |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814043002/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/aug/14/trump-administration-steps-up-efforts-to-turn-broadcasters-into-propaganda-outlets |archive-date=August 14, 2020}}</ref>
On August 12, 2020, USAGM chief financial officer Grant Turner and general counsel David Kligerman were removed from their positions and stripped of their security clearances, reportedly for their opposition to what Turner called "gross mismanagement", along with four other senior agency officials.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Trump appointee deepens purge of U.S. global media agency |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/12/trump-purge-us-agency-global-media-394403 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815211147/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/12/trump-purge-us-agency-global-media-394403 |archive-date=August 15, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Politico]]'' reported on August 13 that Trump administration official and former shock jock [[Frank Wuco]] had been hired as a USAGM senior advisor, responsible for auditing the agency's office of policy and research.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lippman |first=Daniel |date=August 13, 2020 |title=U.S. global media agency hires shock jock who called Obama 'Kenyan' |publisher=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/13/frank-wuco-us-global-media-agency-hiring-394997 |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814153622/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/08/13/frank-wuco-us-global-media-agency-hiring-394997 |archive-date=August 14, 2020}}</ref> As a radio host, Wuco issued insults and groundless claims against former US President Barack Obama, CIA Director [[John O. Brennan]], and Speaker of the House [[Nancy Pelosi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kakzynski |first1=Andrew |last2=Massie |first2=Chris |last3=McDermott |first3=Nathan |date=December 20, 2017 |title=Senior White House adviser at Homeland Security repeatedly promoted fringe conspiracy theories on the radio |work=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/20/politics/kfile-frank-wuco-conspiracy-theories/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819183343/https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/20/politics/kfile-frank-wuco-conspiracy-theories/index.html |archive-date=August 19, 2020}}</ref> VOA's Twitter account during this period featured stories favorable to Vice President Mike Pence and White House advisor [[Ivanka Trump]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=August 14, 2020 |title=Trump administration steps up efforts to turn broadcasters into propaganda outlets |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/aug/14/trump-administration-steps-up-efforts-to-turn-broadcasters-into-propaganda-outlets |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814043002/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/aug/14/trump-administration-steps-up-efforts-to-turn-broadcasters-into-propaganda-outlets |archive-date=August 14, 2020}}</ref>
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[[File:Secretary Pompeo Delivers Remarks at the Voice of America (50828046222).jpg|thumb|left|240px|Then-Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] speaks at VOA headquarters in January 2021.]]
[[File:Secretary Pompeo Delivers Remarks at the Voice of America (50828046222).jpg|thumb|left|240px|Then-Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] speaks at VOA headquarters in January 2021.]]
On January 11, 2021, VOA interim director Reilly ordered veteran reporter [[Patsy Widakuswara]] off the White House beat. Earlier that day, Widakuswara had followed US Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] out of the building after his speech criticizing the VOA<ref name="Beitsch 2021">{{Cite news |last=Beitsch |first=Rebecca |date=January 22, 2021 |title=VOA reinstates White House reporter reassigned after questioning Pompeo |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/535387-voa-reinstates-white-house-reporter-reassigned-for-questioning-pompeo |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023061637/https://thehill.com/policy/international/535387-voa-reinstates-white-house-reporter-reassigned-for-questioning-pompeo |archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> and his VOA-sponsored interview with VOA Director Robert Reilly during which reporters were not allowed to ask questions.<ref name="Gaouette 2021">{{Cite news |last1=Gaouette |first1=Nicole |last2=Hansler |first2=Jennifer |last3=Atwood |first3=Kylie |date=January 13, 2021 |title=Voice of America reassigns White House reporter who tried to ask Mike Pompeo a question |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/media/voa-reassigns-reporter/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023050054/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/media/voa-reassigns-reporter/index.html |archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> Widakuswara asked Pompeo what he was doing to repair the international reputation of the U.S. and whether he regretted saying there would be a second Trump administration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Voice Of America White House Reporter Reassigned After Questioning Pompeo |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/955976976/voice-of-america-white-house-reporter-reassigned-after-questioning-pompeo |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019173808/https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/955976976/voice-of-america-white-house-reporter-reassigned-after-questioning-pompeo |archive-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Oktavianti |first=Tri Indah |date=January 16, 2021 |title=Patsy Widakuswara: Jakarta native asking Trump administration tough questions |work=[[The Jakarta Post]] |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/01/16/patsy-widakuswara-jakarta-native-asking-trump-administration-tough-questions.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023051850/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/01/16/patsy-widakuswara-jakarta-native-asking-trump-administration-tough-questions.html |archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> The theme of the preceding interview with VOA Director Robert Reilly was reportedly the dangers of censorship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Voice of America reassigns White House reporter after she sought to question Mike Pompeo |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=MSN News |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-reassigns-white-house-reporter-after-she-sought-to-question-mike-pompeo/ar-BB1cFBq5 |url-status=live |access-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112064458/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-reassigns-white-house-reporter-after-she-sought-to-question-mike-pompeo/ar-BB1cFBq5 |archive-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref> In response, dozens of VOA journalists, including Widakuswara, wrote and circulated a petition calling on Reilly and public affairs specialist Elizabeth Robbins to resign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Voice of America journalists demand resignation of news agency's top leadership |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-journalists-demand-resignation-of-news-agencys-top-leadership/ar-BB1cLd9b |url-status=live |access-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114194616/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-journalists-demand-resignation-of-news-agencys-top-leadership/ar-BB1cLd9b |archive-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> In a statement, [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee]] Chairman [[Gregory Meeks]] and ranking member [[Michael McCaul]] said, "Absent a legitimate reason for this move, which has not been provided, we believe she should be reinstated".<ref name="Gaouette 2021" /> Widakuswara was reinstated to the White House beat after President Biden requested the resignation of Michael Pack.<ref name="Beitsch 2021" />
On January 11, 2021, VOA interim director Reilly ordered veteran reporter [[Patsy Widakuswara]] off the White House beat. Earlier that day, Widakuswara had followed US Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]] out of the building after his speech criticizing the VOA<ref name="Beitsch 2021">{{Cite news |last=Beitsch |first=Rebecca |date=January 22, 2021 |title=VOA reinstates White House reporter reassigned after questioning Pompeo |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/535387-voa-reinstates-white-house-reporter-reassigned-for-questioning-pompeo |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023061637/https://thehill.com/policy/international/535387-voa-reinstates-white-house-reporter-reassigned-for-questioning-pompeo |archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> and his VOA-sponsored interview with VOA Director Robert Reilly during which reporters were not allowed to ask questions.<ref name="Gaouette 2021">{{Cite news |last1=Gaouette |first1=Nicole |last2=Hansler |first2=Jennifer |last3=Atwood |first3=Kylie |date=January 13, 2021 |title=Voice of America reassigns White House reporter who tried to ask Mike Pompeo a question |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/media/voa-reassigns-reporter/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023050054/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/12/media/voa-reassigns-reporter/index.html |archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> Widakuswara asked Pompeo what he was doing to repair the international reputation of the U.S. and whether he regretted saying there would be a second Trump administration.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Folkenflik |first=David |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Voice Of America White House Reporter Reassigned After Questioning Pompeo |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/955976976/voice-of-america-white-house-reporter-reassigned-after-questioning-pompeo |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019173808/https://www.npr.org/2021/01/12/955976976/voice-of-america-white-house-reporter-reassigned-after-questioning-pompeo |archive-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Oktavianti |first=Tri Indah |date=January 16, 2021 |title=Patsy Widakuswara: Jakarta native asking Trump administration tough questions |work=[[The Jakarta Post]] |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/01/16/patsy-widakuswara-jakarta-native-asking-trump-administration-tough-questions.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023051850/https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2021/01/16/patsy-widakuswara-jakarta-native-asking-trump-administration-tough-questions.html |archive-date=October 23, 2021}}</ref> The theme of the preceding interview with VOA Director Robert Reilly was reportedly the dangers of censorship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 12, 2021 |title=Voice of America reassigns White House reporter after she sought to question Mike Pompeo |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=MSN News |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-reassigns-white-house-reporter-after-she-sought-to-question-mike-pompeo/ar-BB1cFBq5 |url-status=live |access-date=January 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112064458/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-reassigns-white-house-reporter-after-she-sought-to-question-mike-pompeo/ar-BB1cFBq5 |archive-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref> In response, dozens of VOA journalists, including Widakuswara, wrote and circulated a petition calling on Reilly and public affairs specialist Elizabeth Robbins to resign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Voice of America journalists demand resignation of news agency's top leadership |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-journalists-demand-resignation-of-news-agencys-top-leadership/ar-BB1cLd9b |url-status=live |access-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114194616/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/voice-of-america-journalists-demand-resignation-of-news-agencys-top-leadership/ar-BB1cLd9b |archive-date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> In a statement, [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee]] Chairman [[Gregory Meeks]] and ranking member [[Michael McCaul]] said, "Absent a legitimate reason for this move, which has not been provided, we believe she should be reinstated".<ref name="Gaouette 2021" /> Widakuswara was reinstated to the White House beat after President Biden requested the resignation of Michael Pack.<ref name="Beitsch 2021" />


On January 19, the nonprofit [[Government Accountability Project]], representing fired USAGM employees and whistleblowers, sent a letter to the congressional foreign affairs committees, the [[U.S. Office of Special Counsel]], and the [[Inspector General of the Department of State|Inspector General of the US Department of State]]. The letter said that Pack had hired the [[McGuireWoods]] law firm to investigate USAGM employees and the OTF at a cost of over $2 million in the last quarter of 2020, bypassing US government investigators including USAGM's own Office of Human Resources, and called for further investigation of what it termed a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seide |first=David Z. |title=Protected Whistleblower Disclosure of Gross Misuse of at Least $2 Million in Taxpayer Dollars by the U.S. Agency for Global Media |url=https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Government-Accountability-Project-Whistleblower-Disclosure-Regarding-Gross-Waste-by-USAGM-1-19-2021..pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121114119/https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Government-Accountability-Project-Whistleblower-Disclosure-Regarding-Gross-Waste-by-USAGM-1-19-2021..pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |website=whistleblower.org |publisher=Government Accountability Project}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' later reported that a second law firm, Caplin & Drysdale, had also been granted a similar [[no-bid contract]] in possible violation of federal contracting regulations for a total cost of $4 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Former Voice of America overseer hired law firms to $4 million no-bid contracts |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/former-head-of-voice-of-americas-parent-hired-two-law-firms-to-no-bid-contracts-price-tag-4-million/2021/01/25/87a35e7a-5d0c-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126011148/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/former-head-of-voice-of-americas-parent-hired-two-law-firms-to-no-bid-contracts-price-tag-4-million/2021/01/25/87a35e7a-5d0c-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html |archive-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref>
On January 19, the nonprofit [[Government Accountability Project]], representing fired USAGM employees and whistleblowers, sent a letter to the congressional foreign affairs committees, the [[U.S. Office of Special Counsel]], and the [[Inspector General of the Department of State|Inspector General of the US Department of State]]. The letter said that Pack had hired the [[McGuireWoods]] law firm to investigate USAGM employees and the OTF at a cost of over $2 million in the last quarter of 2020, bypassing US government investigators including USAGM's own Office of Human Resources, and called for further investigation of what it termed a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seide |first=David Z. |title=Protected Whistleblower Disclosure of Gross Misuse of at Least $2 Million in Taxpayer Dollars by the U.S. Agency for Global Media |url=https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Government-Accountability-Project-Whistleblower-Disclosure-Regarding-Gross-Waste-by-USAGM-1-19-2021..pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121114119/https://whistleblower.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Government-Accountability-Project-Whistleblower-Disclosure-Regarding-Gross-Waste-by-USAGM-1-19-2021..pdf |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |website=whistleblower.org |publisher=Government Accountability Project}}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' later reported that a second law firm, Caplin & Drysdale, had also been granted a similar [[no-bid contract]] in possible violation of federal contracting regulations for a total cost of $4 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farhi |first=Paul |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Former Voice of America overseer hired law firms to $4 million no-bid contracts |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/former-head-of-voice-of-americas-parent-hired-two-law-firms-to-no-bid-contracts-price-tag-4-million/2021/01/25/87a35e7a-5d0c-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126011148/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/former-head-of-voice-of-americas-parent-hired-two-law-firms-to-no-bid-contracts-price-tag-4-million/2021/01/25/87a35e7a-5d0c-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html |archive-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref>
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