Court Orders Reinstatement of Voice of America, Blocks Trump Shutdown Efforts
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and several affiliated news services, calling the effort likely unlawful, The Gaze reports, citing The Hill.
On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA’s parent agency, to fully reinstate VOA operations and its staff. He also barred the agency from undermining the outlets’ function to serve as “consistently reliable and authoritative” news sources, as required by law.
Judge Lamberth further directed the USAGM to restore employment for workers placed on leave, prohibit workforce reductions during litigation, and resume funding for international broadcasting.
“In short, the defendants had no method or approach towards shutting down USAGM that this Court can discern,” said Lamberth.
“They took immediate and drastic action to slash USAGM, without considering its statutorily or constitutionally required functions,” he added.
Voice of America is the largest and oldest international broadcasting service funded by the U.S. federal government. As a key instrument of American public diplomacy, VOA produces digital, television, and radio content in 48 languages for affiliate stations across the globe. Its core audience is made up of non-Americans, particularly those living in countries where press freedom and independent journalism are restricted or absent.
The executive order, signed on March 14, 2025, had led to administrative leave for many employees and halted funding for sister networks, including Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
The USAGM has decided to revoke its decision to cancel a grant to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. This was stated in a letter signed by Carrie Lake, Senior Advisor to the USAGM Director.
As The Gaze previously reported, the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the 27 EU member states (Coreper), which meets at the ambassadorial level, discussed the possibility of EU funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.