A federal judge in Washington has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from proceeding with large-scale staff cuts at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent body of Voice of America (VOA).
The ruling, issued by District Judge Royce Lamberth, pauses the planned dismissal of more than 500 employees while the court examines whether the agency has respected a previous injunction safeguarding VOA’s journalistic mission.
In April, Lamberth had ordered the administration to uphold VOA’s statutory duty to provide impartial and dependable news coverage. In his latest opinion, the judge criticized USAGM officials, saying they had displayed “disregard” for the court’s directive and appeared to lack any serious plan to comply.
The layoffs would have affected nearly the entire remaining workforce of the broadcaster, which traces its history to 1942 when it was created to counter wartime propaganda. VOA currently reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide every week.
The controversy stems from a March executive order by former President Donald Trump that abruptly suspended VOA operations. Trump later appointed Kari Lake, a loyal ally and former television anchor, to oversee the agency during his second term. Lake has frequently accused mainstream media of bias against the former president.
Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, is also handling multiple lawsuits that challenge the legality of the March order. Among the plaintiffs is VOA director Michael Abramowitz, who argues the move undermines the broadcaster’s independence and its role as a trusted source of international news.
Neither the White House, the agency, nor lawyers for the employees have commented on the ruling.
Investigative Journalist & News Editor:
Contact: Editor@wesleyannews.com
Source: Wesleyannews.com
Do you have a story to share? Send it to our editorial team at editor@wesleyannews.com