Trump-Appointed Overseer Removes Voice of America Interim Director: Political Turmoil at VOA

Amid a flurry of final actions aimed at asserting control, the interim director of Voice of America, appointed by Trump, was pushed out by the overseer also appointed by Trump.

This development coincides with Michael Pack’s refusal to cooperate with the Biden transition.

The chief of the agency overseeing Voice of America removed its interim director on Tuesday, a move seemingly intended to tighten control over its editorial operations.

Michael Pack, a Trump appointee known for his controversial changes at VOA and its affiliated networks, ousted Elez Biberaj, a VOA veteran whom Pack had appointed as interim director in June.

Biberaj, with 40 years of journalistic experience at VOA, had quietly opposed Pack’s efforts to align the news organization more closely with President Trump’s viewpoints and policies.

Pack, who heads the U.S. Agency for Global Media overseeing VOA and other government-funded networks, has sought to breach a regulatory “firewall” barring political appointees from direct involvement in journalistic work at VOA and its sister agencies like Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

Despite a court order last month prohibiting Pack from meddling in the agency’s news reporting or personnel decisions, Biberaj’s removal seems to circumvent that order, paving the way for Pack to install his preferred executive at VOA. Sources at VOA suggested that Robert R. Reilly, a former VOA director and current director of the Westminster Institute, is the leading candidate. Reilly, known for his conservative views, has advocated for VOA to serve as a diplomatic tool for the government rather than a purely journalistic entity.

The duration of Pack’s tenure at USAGM, as well as that of Biberaj’s successor, remains uncertain. President-elect Joe Biden’s team has indicated plans to replace Pack once Biden assumes office on Jan. 20. Pack, who began a Senate-confirmed three-year term in June, can be replaced by the president.

While Pack’s office declined to comment directly on Biberaj’s status, USAGM’s public affairs office released a statement denying Biberaj’s removal. However, multiple sources familiar with the situation confirmed that Pack asked Biberaj to step down on Tuesday, a request to which Biberaj acquiesced.

Biberaj, aged 68, will continue at VOA, resuming his previous role as director of the Eurasia division. He declined to comment, as did VOA’s spokeswoman.

As interim director, Biberaj has attempted to navigate between Pack’s desire for a more Trump-friendly VOA and the organization’s traditional independence. His reluctance to take more assertive public actions has disappointed some VOA journalists, who view Pack’s actions as undermining their independence and the regulatory firewall protecting VOA from political interference.