Federal Judge Slaps Trump Admin: Restore Voice of America

 

A federal judge Tuesday halted the Trump Administration’s attempt to defund Voice of America (VOA) and other government-backed news outlets. 

Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration lacked any clear plan to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), VOA’s parent organization, and ordered the reinstatement of hundreds of furloughed employees, restoring normal operations.

Lamberth described the administration’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious,” granting a preliminary injunction to VOA journalist Patsy Widakuswara and her colleagues against USAGM acting CEO Kari Lake, as reported by CBS News. The ruling ensures VOA staff can resume delivering “reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and comprehensive” news.

The decision follows President Trump’s executive order last month, which slashed funding for USAGM and other federal agencies, crippling operations and reducing USAGM’s Cuba office to just 33 staffers.

Lamberth criticized the administration for ignoring USAGM’s legal and constitutional obligations, causing harm to employees, contractors, journalists, and global audiences, per The Hill.

Here’s a breakdown of the ruling and its reasoning blocking the shutdown: 

• Arbitrary and Capricious Actions: Lamberth ruled that the administration’s actions were “arbitrary and capricious,” meaning they lacked a reasoned or lawful basis. He noted that the administration provided “no method or approach” for shutting down USAGM, ignoring its statutory and constitutional obligations to provide reliable, objective news.
• Restoring Operations and Staff: The ruling ordered USAGM to reinstate hundreds of employees who had been placed on leave due to the funding cuts. It also mandated that the agency resume normal operations to fulfill its mission of delivering “consistently reliable and authoritative, accurate, objective, and comprehensive” news.
• Harm to Stakeholders: Lamberth highlighted the significant harm caused by the administration’s actions, including to employees, contractors, journalists, and global media consumers who rely on USAGM’s services. He criticized the administration for acting without regard for these consequences or the agency’s mandated functions.
• Specific Context: The injunction was granted in favor of VOA journalist Patsy Widakuswara and her colleagues, who challenged the cuts. The ruling specifically addressed actions under USAGM’s acting CEO, Kari Lake, and responded to the drastic reduction of USAGM’s operations, such as shrinking its Cuba office to just 33 staffers.