A U.S. District Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent organization of Voice of America (VOA). The order had placed over 1,200 VOA employees, including approximately 1,000 journalists, on administrative leave, effectively halting the agency’s operations for the first time in its 83-year history.
Judge Royce Lamberth criticized the government’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious,” stating that there was a complete absence of reasoned analysis in the decision to shut down the agency. He emphasized that such a move violated the constitutional separation of powers and ordered the immediate restoration of VOA’s operations, including the reinstatement of staff and the continuation of broadcasting services.
The executive order had been signed by President Donald Trump in March 2025, with the stated goal of realigning USAGM to better reflect “pro-American” values. Critics, however, viewed the move as an attempt to exert political control over independent journalism. The order also led to the suspension of funding for other USAGM-funded outlets, including Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
In response to the ruling, VOA Director Michael Abramowitz expressed gratitude, stating that the decision “vindicates our position that it falls to Congress to create or dismantle a government agency, not the executive branch alone.” He highlighted the importance of VOA’s role in providing fact-based news about America and its policies, especially in a global environment where adversaries spread propaganda and misinformation.
Patsy Widakuswara, a VOA journalist and plaintiff in the lawsuit, welcomed the court’s decision but acknowledged the possibility of an appeal. She emphasized the critical need for VOA to continue its mission of delivering accurate and balanced reporting, particularly in regions lacking free press.
The ruling marks a significant victory for press freedom and underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional principles against executive overreach. It also reaffirms the commitment to independent journalism as a cornerstone of democratic societies.
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