Sarah B. Rogers: Nominated to Lead USAGM and Shape Global Media Landscape
President Trump has nominated Sarah B. Rogers, the undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA). Rogers would replace the current acting CEO, Michael Rigas, pending Senate approval. In her current role, Rogers oversees the State Department's educational and cultural affairs office and is responsible for information environment engagement, including disinformation and censorship efforts.
Rogers previously represented the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a Supreme Court case challenging the New York Department of Financial Services. She joined the Trump administration in October 2025 and has been critical of European countries' efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation online. Rogers met with Markus Frohnmaier, a far-right parliamentarian in Germany, and supported the administration's visa ban on five Europeans involved in tackling online misinformation.
Rogers echoed Secretary of State Marco Rubio's concerns about the threat to free speech posed by the work of the five individuals targeted by the visa ban. She emphasized the importance of the First Amendment in protecting American speech and expressed reservations about regulatory measures that could suppress certain viewpoints. Rogers highlighted the differences in how Europeans perceive the First Amendment compared to Americans and emphasized the need to safeguard free speech rights.
In conclusion, President Trump's nomination of Sarah B. Rogers to lead the USAGM signals a potential shift in the agency's leadership. Rogers' background in public diplomacy and her stance on free speech issues suggest a focus on combating misinformation and promoting American values in the global media landscape. If confirmed, Rogers will play a key role in shaping the agency's direction and priorities in the coming years.