In a move drawing sharp criticism from media advocates, the Trump administration has dismissed nearly 600 contractors at Voice of America (VOA), the U.S.-funded news network known for promoting independent journalism in countries with restricted press freedoms. The mass firings, announced Thursday, cut more than a third of VOA’s workforce—primarily journalists—and defied a recent court ruling aimed at preserving the network’s operations.

Many of the affected workers are foreign nationals whose employment at VOA supported their legal residency in the U.S. With their jobs gone, they now face potential deportation. The administration cited “government convenience” as justification, exploiting the contractors’ non-federal employment status.

VOA Director Michael Abramowitz called the action “inexplicable” and has launched legal proceedings to halt the dismantling of the organization. Meanwhile, Kari Lake, Trump ally and senior adviser at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, defended the move, despite offering no evidence to support claims of corruption at the agency.

Coinciding with the layoffs, the federal building housing VOA in Washington, D.C., has been put up for sale. The decision comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to undermine public and independent media, including recent actions targeting NPR, PBS, and the Associated Press.