Kari Lake Grilled on Voice of America Armenian Service Cuts

Questioning Voice of America's Direction

• 🎯 Representative Jim Costa questioned Voice of America (VOA) Director Kari Lake regarding the agency's post-World War II efforts and its role in broadcasting American values.
• 💡 Costa highlighted the importance of VOA's international broadcasting, particularly in countering communist influence and telling "the real story about America."

The Armenian Service Controversy

• 🇦🇲 Costa specifically inquired about the Armenian language service, asking if Lake knew the language spoken in Armenia and its name.
• ❓ Lake admitted she couldn't name the language but acknowledged hearing it and described it as beautiful, while Costa revealed it is Armenian.
• 🗣️ The purpose of the Armenian service was to inform Armenians under Soviet oppression about American values.

Cuts to the Armenian Service

• 📉 Costa revealed that the Armenian service had five staff members (one full-time, four contractors) who have all been placed on leave since March.
• 🚫 Lake stated that Armenian is not a statutorily required language and suggested that if Costa wanted it reinstated, he should write legislation.
• 📊 VOA's own data indicated the Armenian service reached over one-third of Armenia's adult population and played a unique role in countering Russian disinformation.

Justification for Cuts and Disagreements

• 🇺🇸 Lake stated the agency is being "rightsized" and that decisions are based on the President's directives.
• ⚠️ Costa questioned the analysis behind the cuts, especially given the service's reach and its role in countering Russian influence at a time when Armenia is seeking to move away from Moscow's orbit.
• ❓ Costa also raised concerns about cutting staff who counter Russian propaganda, especially when VOA has hired Russian spies in the past.
• 📈 He pointed to the VOA Persian service being put on leave and then recalled during missile strikes, suggesting a need for on-duty staff for information dissemination.