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State Department says it is following up on funding cut impacts to U.S. grantees; advises asylum options for affected journalists
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Summary
Tammy Bruce said the State Department is following up with Secretary Rubio about the impact of recent funding terminations affecting USAGM grantees such as Radio Free Asia and that affected journalists may have visa or asylum options.
A reporter asked whether Secretary Rubio would seek to restore funding to grantees such as Radio Free Asia after the administration announced termination of funds to some U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) grantees. Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokesperson, said she has the question "out to the secretary" and is "going directly to him" for an answer.
Bruce characterized broader moves as part of an effort to "reduce the federal bureaucracy" and align spending with the administration's priorities, saying that actions reflect assessments of waste, fraud and mismanagement. She acknowledged reporting that some journalists who work for Radio Free Asia may face deportation if their employment ends and described options available to individuals in the United States: "If you are here on a work visa... there's a period of time... you can also apply for asylum" and the State Department posts information at state.gov.
On related work to counter disinformation — specifically the Global Engagement Center and Voice of America roles — Bruce said organizational structures were being reassessed but asserted the government's values and goals for engagement have not changed: "The work stops" is not the outcome, she said; rather, outreach and engagement "will look different perhaps" as structures change.
Bruce said she would follow up with additional information and that she was seeking answers from the secretary on the funding questions.
