michael pack

Politics & Government

Federal inquiry details abuses of power by Trump's CEO over Voice of America

6:00am May 21, 2023

by David Folkenflik

Investigators found Trump's appointee at the U.S. Agency for Global Media repeatedly abused his power. "It just takes one's breath away," says David Seide, a lawyer who represented whistleblowers.

U.S. Agency for Global Media General Counsel David Kligerman stands for a portrait in Washington, D.C, on Jan. 25. He was one of the six executives who faced retaliation under the agency's former CEO, Michael Pack.

Politics & Government

A Report Clears Federal Officials Who Were Suspended By A Trump Appointee Over VOA

9:21am July 10, 2021

by David Folkenflik

The State Department inspector general says six executives at the U.S. Agency for Global Media were unfairly punished after they raised concerns about steps taken under Trump appointee Michael Pack.

In June 2020, Libby Liu announced she would step down as head of the Open Technology Fund the following month. But newly appointed U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack fired her effective immediately.

Politics & Government

'I Was Speechless': Law Firm Investigated Its Own Ex-Client For Trump VOA Chief

6:05pm March 10, 2021

by David Folkenflik

As part of a contract that earned it more than $2 million in taxpayer money, McGuireWoods investigated an ex-client - a not-for-profit tech fund - for Trump's CEO at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Former U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack contracted with a private law firm to investigate his own staff, a task usually done by government specialists.

Politics & Government

Trump Appointee At VOA Parent Paid Law Firm Millions To Investigate His Own Staff

8:41pm March 04, 2021

by David Folkenflik

Trump appointee Michael Pack hoped to fire top executives who challenged him at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. When he couldn't, Pack paid a high-profile law firm millions to investigate them.

Journalist Nabila Ganinda worked for Voice of America's Indonesian-language service for two years before the Trump administration rejected her visa extension. She is now back in Indonesia.

Politics & Government

Trump Official Cited Security To Kill Visas For VOA Staffers. Emails Say Otherwise

8:18pm February 11, 2021

by David Folkenflik

Under Trump, the agency over the Voice of America stopped granting requests for visa extensions for foreign journalists to reserve jobs for Americans. The agency had cited security concerns.

Former CEO of U.S. Agency for Global Media Michael Pack was appointed by President Trump. During his time with the agency, Pack waged ideological warfare on his own agency, targeting his executives and staffers with investigations.

Politics & Government

Trumpism At Voice Of America: Firings, Foosball And A Conspiracy Theory

3:48pm January 27, 2021

by David Folkenflik

Michael Pack's scandal-tarred tenure over Voice of America and its parent agency obscures the human toll of the ideological war he waged: executives fired, staff investigated, reputations shattered.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week in Washington, D.C.

Politics & Government

New Chief's Ties Shock Radio Free Asia, While Pompeo Visit to VOA Stirs Outcry

6:45pm January 15, 2021

by David Folkenflik

The demotion of a Voice of America White House reporter led to an outcry. And the new head of sister network Radio Free Asia had registered as a lobbyist for Taiwan just days before taking over.

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack.

Politics & Government

Voice of America CEO Accused Of Fraud, Misuse of Office All In One Week

7:38pm January 08, 2021

by David Folkenflik

U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack faces accusations of fraud over his private documentary film company and separate allegations he's promoting propaganda at Voice of America.

Robert R. Reilly led Voice of America briefly under President George W. Bush. Here they're shown at a VOA anniversary celebration in February 2002.

Politics & Government

New VOA Director Arrives With Baggage: Anti-Islamic and Homophobic Writings

10:42pm December 11, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The appointment of the newly named director of the Voice of America, Robert R. Reilly, has sparked criticism over his public writings on Islam and gay rights.

The headquarters of the U.S. government's premier international broadcaster, Voice of America, in Washington, D.C.

Politics & Government

'Substantial Likelihood Of Wrongdoing' By VOA Parent Agency, Government Watchdog Says

7:46pm December 02, 2020

by David Folkenflik

The U.S. Special Counsel ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media to conduct a sweeping internal investigation, after finding a "substantial likelihood of wrongdoing" toward the Voice of America.