Voice of America Director, Deputy Resign Amid Trump Clash

The director of U.S.-funded Voice of America and her deputy resigned Monday following recent clashes with the Trump administration that have sparked fears for its independence.

Amanda Bennett and Deputy Director Sandy Sugawara announced they were leaving the organization as Trump ally and conservative filmmaker Michael Pack takes over leadership of the agency that oversees VOA.

Bennett told the staff in an email obtained by The Associated Press that Pack should be able to choose his own leadership of an organization created to promote democracy and American values abroad. Trump and his supporters have been sharply critical of coronavirus reporting by the outlet that ran counter to the administration narrative on China’s response to the outbreak. The White House went as far as to blast VOA in a press statement and directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to not cooperate with its journalists, an unusual attack on a venerable organization that has long been known for maintaining its independence despite its government ties.

In her farewell email, Bennett praised the VOA staff for its “rapid, can-do response to the coronavirus crisis” and expressed hope that the new CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media would not interfere with its mission as some feared.

“Michael Pack swore before Congress to respect and honor the firewall that guarantees VOA’s independence, which in turn plays the single most important role in the stunning trust our audiences around the world have in us,” she wrote. “We know that each one of you will offer him all of your skills, your professionalism, your dedication to mission, your journalistic integrity and your personal hard work to guarantee that promise is fulfilled."

Democrats objected to the nomination of Pack, a one-time associate of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, in part for his refusal to answer questions about past business dealings. That didn't stop his confirmation by the Senate.

VOA confirmed the resignations in a statement that summarized Bennett’s email to staff but did not address the clash with the administration.