Schatz Statement On Illegal Efforts By Trump, Musk To Abolish U.S. Institute Of Peace, Vital Broadcasting Programs That Support U.S. Interests Abroad

HONOLULU – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement on recent illegal actions taken by the Trump administration to dismantle the U.S. Institute of Peace and U.S. Agency for Global Media, key organizations that support U.S. interests around the world.

“Over the last few days, President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have illegally seized the United States Institute for Peace – a nonpartisan, independent nonprofit entity established by Congress – and are terminating global broadcasting programs funded through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. These terminations include Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Open Technology Fund. This is not only a gift to China, Russia, Iran, and other adversarial regimes, but breaking leases and contracts will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Congress just enacted an appropriations bill that fully funds these entities, and it is critical that the law be carried out faithfully.”

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