A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to eliminate hundreds of Voice of America jobs, granting temporary relief to employees at the U.S.-funded broadcaster.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington, D.C., ruled that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) cannot move forward with its reduction in force, which sought to eliminate 532 full-time government positions. These jobs represent the bulk of VOA’s staff, which Congress funds to provide independent news to audiences worldwide.
The judge’s order halts the cuts until he rules on a broader request from employees who sued to protect the agency. Their lawsuit argues that the layoffs would weaken Voice of America’s ability to deliver on its statutory mission.
Judge Cites Disrespect in Voice of America Jobs Case
Judge Lamberth accused the Trump administration of showing “concerning disrespect” toward the court. He noted that agency leaders pushed ahead with the plan just hours after government lawyers described a reduction in force as only a “possibility” during an earlier hearing.
“The defendants’ obfuscation of this Court’s request for information has wasted precious judicial resources,” he wrote. While he did not initiate contempt proceedings, the judge warned the administration against further evasive behavior.
The plaintiffs argue that job cuts would make it impossible to enforce a previous court order requiring VOA to restore programming to legal levels. Their lawyers urged the court to maintain the status quo until full arguments are heard.
Kari Lake’s Role and Administration’s Argument
Kari Lake, the acting CEO of USAGM, announced the layoffs in late August and said they would take effect Tuesday. On social media, she argued that shrinking the workforce would improve efficiency. “The agency will continue to fulfill its statutory mission and likely improve its ability to function,” she wrote.
Government lawyers echoed this argument in court, claiming the plaintiffs were trying to micromanage the agency’s operations. They insisted that preventing the layoffs was an overreach of judicial authority.
Can VOA Continue Its Mission After Job Cuts?
The Voice of America and its sister networks — including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio Marti, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks — reach an estimated 427 million people worldwide. Together, they serve as critical outlets for independent journalism in regions where authoritarian governments restrict free media.
Congress allocated $875 million to USAGM for fiscal year 2025, including $260 million earmarked specifically for Voice of America jobs and operations. Employees fear that if layoffs proceed, VOA will no longer meet its mandate to provide “consistently reliable and authoritative news.”
Plaintiffs’ attorney Georgina Yeomans said the plan locks the agency into “deficient programming levels” that violate court orders. She added that employees still do not know who within the agency is making key decisions on job eliminations.
Broader Battle Over VOA’s Future
The Trump administration has repeatedly clashed with the court over control of VOA. In April, Judge Lamberth issued an injunction requiring the broadcaster to resume programming after the agency briefly halted broadcasts for the first time in its 83-year history. The judge also blocked Lake from removing VOA’s director, Michael Abramowitz.
Critics say the administration is trying to weaken or dismantle VOA at a time when its role as a counterweight to disinformation remains vital. Supporters of the cuts argue that the agency is bloated and needs reform.
For now, the ruling preserves Voice of America jobs and prevents the agency from shrinking staff while the lawsuit continues. The case will test how far a president can go in reshaping U.S.-funded media — and whether the courts will defend the independence of one of America’s most visible global broadcasters.
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