Federal Judge Rules USAGM Must Release RFE/RL Funding

A federal judge has issued a stern directive to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), ordering the agency to cease its efforts to deprive Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) of critical federal grant money essential for its ongoing operations. 

The decision, detailed in court documents released on Tuesday, marks a pivotal moment in the broadcaster's fight to maintain its independence and financial stability.

The judicial action stems from a contentious legal battle initiated by RFE/RL's attorneys, who sought an urgent restraining order to halt USAGM's austerity measures. 

The measures, rooted in an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump earlier in March 2025, had threatened to undermine the broadcaster's ability to fulfill its mission. The Executive Order mandated that USAGM and six other federal agencies drastically scale back their activities and suspend non-essential federal employees, a directive that triggered widespread layoffs affecting over 1,000 journalists at media organizations directly under USAGM’s purview, including the Voice of America (VOA).

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty stands apart as an independent, non-profit broadcaster dedicated to delivering unbiased news, vital information, and engaging entertainment to regions including Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. 

Unlike VOA and other USAGM-controlled entities, RFE/RL operates independently from the U.S. government and its agencies. However, it relies heavily on federal funding allocated through Congressional acts, which in turn grants USAGM a degree of oversight over its operations.

The current dispute erupted earlier this month when USAGM interpreted its oversight authority as extending to the power to withhold federal grant money from RFE/RL, a move that sparked an immediate and forceful legal response from the broadcaster. Attorneys for RFE/RL swiftly filed for a restraining order to prevent USAGM from continuing to withhold these funds, arguing that such actions jeopardized the organization’s ability to serve its global audience.

Judge Lambert

In a partial concession, USAGM announced on Monday that it had disbursed a payment of $7.4 million to RFE/RL, intended to mitigate the immediate financial strain inflicted on the broadcaster. However, this gesture did little to resolve the broader conflict. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lambert delivered his ruling, declaring RFE/RL’s motion for the $7.4 million disbursement moot since the payment had already been made. More crucially, Judge Lambert approved the restraining order, barring USAGM from withholding any further grant payments while the lawsuit progresses through the courts.

In his strongly worded opinion, Judge Lambert rebuked USAGM’s actions, stating, “The leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down — even if the President has told them to do so.” This statement underscores the court’s view that USAGM’s attempt to choke off funding lacked sufficient justification and overstepped its authority, particularly in light of RFE/RL’s unique status and mission.

The ruling represents a critical victory for RFE/RL as it seeks to preserve its operational integrity and continue providing independent journalism to regions where access to reliable information is often limited. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is likely to draw significant attention, raising broader questions about the balance between governmental oversight and the autonomy of federally funded media organizations. For now, RFE/RL can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that its lifeline of federal support remains intact, at least temporarily, under the protection of the court’s restraining order.