Congressional Republicans have launched a sweeping investigation into the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which houses the controversial Voice of America outlet, citing systemic national security failures, corruption, and visa fraud spanning multiple administrations.
A June 17 letter to Kari Lake, the agency’s Senior Advisor, outlines grave concerns over using foreign nationals, falsified background checks, and insider enrichment schemes involving millions in federal grant dollars.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Chairman James Comer and Subcommittee Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, detailed years of documented misconduct, including improper vetting, falsified Social Security numbers, and personnel with access to sensitive systems who were never properly cleared. Many have since “disappeared into U.S. society,” raising questions about the potential infiltration of the federal government by foreign agents.
USAGM’s use of J-1 cultural exchange visas instead of proper I visas for journalists is also under scrutiny. Lawmakers allege that this practice violates federal policy and creates a backdoor path to permanent residency for foreign nationals working in journalism—an abuse that may have exposed the U.S. to foreign espionage operations. The letter demands documentation for every visa issued and clearance held over the past five years.
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