A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of over 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees who were laid off under the Trump administration. According to The Guardian and CBS News, Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that attempts to shut down VOA operations through the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) were illegal, mandating that employees return to work by March 23rd.
Key Takeaways
A federal judge ordered the reinstatement of over 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees after ruling that Trump administration efforts to dismantle the network were illegal.
- Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake's actions as USAGM director were unlawful.
- VOA employees must return to work by March 23rd, and a plan for resuming operations is required.
- Lake plans to appeal the ruling, while VOA Director Michael Abramowitz hailed the decision.
- The Trump administration aimed to reduce VOA to 'minimum presence and function' since 2025.
The Guardian reported that Lamberth also instructed USAGM to create a plan for resuming VOA's broadcasts. This ruling follows an earlier decision where the judge found that former USAGM director Kari Lake had illegally led the agency. NPR added that Lamberth declared Lake's actions 'arbitrary and capricious,' stating she failed to consider Congress' intentions in funding VOA.
The Trump administration has attempted to defund VOA since 2025, aiming for a 'minimum presence and function.' NPR noted that Lake sought to reduce the agency's budget significantly, requesting only enough funds to wind down operations. However, Lamberth ruled that Congress' appropriations indicated a clear intent to maintain substantial broadcast operations.
The ruling has been met with mixed reactions. VOA Director Michael Abramowitz hailed the decision as crucial for the network's mission, stating 'Voice of America has never been more needed.' Meanwhile, Lake plans to appeal Lamberth’s ruling on her leadership status. Former employees expressed relief and eagerness to rebuild trust with their global audience.
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