A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) must reinstate all 1,042 employees of the Voice of America (VOA) who were placed on administrative leave under the direction of former Trump administration official Kari Lake. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth characterized Lake’s attempts to dismantle the prominent news outlet as “arbitrary and capricious,” mandating that employees be back to work by Monday.
### Court’s Ruling and Impact
In a decision handed down on Tuesday, Judge Lamberth stated that Lake had overstepped her authority after assuming multiple senior positions within USAGM, including a period when she identified herself as the acting CEO. The judge declared her actions invalid, noting she had unlawfully taken on powers that were not granted to her under the law.
The ruling emphasized that Lake failed to consider congressional intentions regarding funding for the agency and the implications of effectively shutting down VOA. This decision not only restores the positions of those laid off but also highlights the importance of the network, which was established during World War II to counteract propaganda and has a historic role in providing unbiased information worldwide.
Michael Abramowitz, the director of VOA, expressed gratitude for the ruling, saying, “Voice of America has never been more needed.” Under Lake’s tenure, Abramowitz was threatened with reassignment to a lesser role, but he is expected to return under the court’s mandate.
### Context of the Disputes
Lake’s administration was marked by significant controversy, as records indicated that under her leadership, VOA’s reach shrank dramatically from 361 million people a week in 2022 to mere fractions of that number by early 2023. The decision to lay off so many staff members drew severe criticism, and Lake sought to align the network’s coverage with a more Trump-friendly narrative, even attempting to cut ties with mainstream news services like Reuters and the Associated Press while partnering with far-right media outlets.
The situation escalated when Judge Lamberth noted that during Lake’s tenure, she and agency representatives justified their actions based on a March 2025 executive order from former President Trump. This order aimed to minimize federal agency functions, which Lake argued was the rationale for downsizing VOA. However, the court found that her implementation did not comply with legal standards, as she failed to substantiate her claims that VOA’s operational scope duplicated other news organizations.
The ruling also addressed a broader concern regarding funding: Judge Lamberth pointed out that Congress had previously allocated $643 million to support the agency, underscoring a legislative intent to maintain substantial broadcasting operations, contrary to Lake’s requests for only $153 million, which would have been adequate to wind down VOA.
While Lake’s attempts at reconstruction were largely dismissed, she was granted a partial victory, as the ruling did not restore numerous contractors whose roles had also been eliminated. Judge Lamberth stated that reclaiming those positions would require review by labor dispute courts.
In conclusion, the emergency injunction reinstating VOA employees underlines the ongoing scrutiny of the agency’s future and its pivotal role in representing U.S. values globally. The ruling potentially restores the integrity of an organization that has historically been vital in projecting American diplomacy through journalism.
Source reference: Full report
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