US President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy and reversing policies implemented by his predecessor, Joe Biden. The orders include the revocation of 19 executive actions related to clean energy and environmental goals, as well as the termination of a grant for an internet freedom nonprofit.
The White House claims the moves are driven by “radical ideology” and aim to reduce waste in government programs. However, critics argue that the reversals will harm low-wage workers and undermine research institutions, such as the Nuclear Proliferation International History Project, which was established to study the spread of nuclear weapons.
One agency targeted by Trump’s orders is the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees the Voice of America (VOA) and other global news outlets. The organization has been critical of VOA’s coverage in the past, with Trump previously calling it “the voice of the Soviet Union.” Several staff members received an email saying they were placed on administrative leave.
The executive orders also impact a range of other organizations, including the US Institute of Peace, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Critics argue that these moves will have little impact on the government’s budget, with some organizations requesting less than $1 million in funding.
Historians and experts are warning that Trump’s actions could undermine America’s standing as a research institution, citing the example of the Nuclear Proliferation International History Project. The organization has been instrumental in studying cases related to nuclear proliferation and providing policy-relevant research on countries such as Iran and North Korea.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/03/15/trump-voa-environment-executive-orders