Washington—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement on Michael Pack’s appointment of Robert Reilly as Director of Voice of America:

“Michael Pack should be packing up his office, not packing the leadership of U.S. broadcasting entities with right-wing ideologues and bigots. Robert Reilly, Mr. Pack’s new pick to run VOA, is best known for spewing anti-LGBT hatred in print and on the airways. The idea that he’s been given the reins of an institution with the history and legacy of VOA is a disgrace and an embarrassment. VOA journalists shouldn’t have to endure the reputational harm of having to work for someone with views so backward and out of step with American values.

“Mr. Pack should believe VOA’s coverage of the election, embrace reality, and acknowledge that Joe Biden won. Then he should instruct USAGM personnel to help President-elect Biden’s transition team find its footing at USAGM.”

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