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Voice of America workers who were placed on leave or fired should return to work and the Trump administration must restore funding to the VOA and other U.S. government-funded news outlets, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.
Why it matters: The ruling effectively halts the Trump administration's plan to gut the VOA and its parent, the government-funded U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).
- In addition to VOA, USAGM houses several other internal broadcasters, some of which are waging their own legal battles against the administration in an attempt to survive.
Details: U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth noted in his order in D.C. that the VOA "is not reporting the news for the first time in its 80-year existence" as a result of the Trump administration's action.
- The Reagan-appointed judge said the outlet's website has not been updated since March 15 and "radio stations abroad that rely on VOA's programming have either gone dark or air only music."
- Lamberth said the administration acted "without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world," adding: "It is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary and capricious actions than the Defendants' actions here."
- The judge ordered that the Trump administration restore VOA programming.
What they're saying: "My colleagues and I are grateful for this ruling. But we know that this is just a small step forward, as the government is likely to appeal," said VOA journalist Patsy Widakuswara, who is named as a plaintiff on the lawsuit, in a text message.
- "We are committed to continue to fight against what we believe is the administration's unlawful silencing of VOA until we can return to our Congressional mandate, to tell America's story through factual, balanced and comprehensive reporting."
- Representatives for the USAGM did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Zoom out: Trump allies have long criticized the VOA and USAGM, calling the independent news agencies propagandists.
- Elon Musk has called for VOA to be shut down and USAGM senior adviser Kari Lake, who is named in the suit, said in an announcement on canceling USAGM's 15-year lease last month: "This agency is not salvageable."
The big picture: The rulings in favor of the U.S. government-funded foreign broadcasters suggest the administration will face an uphill battle trying to completely dismantle the foreign broadcasters that for years received bipartisan support from Congress.
- The VOA was created after World War II to combat Nazi propaganda.
- RFE was created during the Cold War to combat Soviet Communist propaganda.
Go deeper: Trump administration efforts to gut government-funded media face pushback in court
Go deeper
Employees, agencies take legal action to save government-funded media
Six Voice of America staffers filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration Friday for shuttering the U.S. Agency for Global Media and effectively dismantling the five broadcast agencies it supports. On Monday, they filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to freeze any further attempts to gut VOA and its sister broadcasters.
Why it matters: Their lawsuit followed a separate legal action against the administration from sister broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty last week. Collectively, the efforts suggest impacted journalists and press advocacy groups won't let government media die without a fight.
Trump administration efforts to gut government-funded media face pushback in court
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Efforts by the Trump administration to gut Congressionally approved funds for agencies overseen by the U.S. Agency for Global Media are facing early legal setbacks, as judges side with agencies and employees in their lawsuits against the government.
Why it matters: The rulings present challenges for the Trump administration as it seeks to make broader government cuts as part of its effort to reduce spending through the Department of Government Efficiency.
USAGM withdraws termination of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty grant
Photo by Tomas Tkacik/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
In a stunning reversal, U.S. Agency for Global Media special adviser Kari Lake on Wednesday evening withdrew an order to terminate the 2025 funding grant for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of the five broadcast agencies that sits under USAGM.
Why it matters: It's an important victory for RFE/RL, which would have otherwise been forced to shutter without its funding.