District Judge Royce Lamberth orders sidelined Voice of America employees back to work

District Judge Royce Lamberth has delivered a decisive rebuke to the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle Voice of America.

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The judge ordered the reinstatement of more than 1,000 full-time employees who were placed on administrative leave.

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The ruling represents a significant legal setback for Kari Lake, the Trump ally who headed the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

President Trump has long targeted VOA, calling it the 'voice of radical America.'

Lamberth found that Lake's actions were 'arbitrary and capricious' and violated federal administrative law.

The judge set a March 23 deadline for employees to return to work.

He also ordered a resumption of international broadcasting operations.

The Trump administration's campaign against VOA began in March 2025 with an executive order.

President Trump ordered the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for Global Media to minimum required levels.

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Kari Lake, a former TV news anchor and failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate, spearheaded this initiative.

The administration canceled contracts with Reuters and Associated Press news services.

They struck a deal with the far-right One America News Network instead.

Hundreds of journalists were placed on administrative leave.

VOA was reduced from 49 language services to just six language services.

The network's audience decreased from 361 million people weekly to a much smaller operation.

Lamberth's ruling was built on a legal foundation finding violations of the Administrative Procedure Act.

“A federal judge says the Trump administration must let more than 1,000 sidelined Voice of America employees return to work by next week”

CNN

The judge determined that Lake had 'unlawfully withheld agency action'.

Lamberth criticized the administration's 'flagrant and nearly year-long refusal' to uphold legal requirements.

Congress had appropriated $643 million for the agency, but Lake requested only $153 million.

The requested amount was only enough to wind down the network and agency.

Lake's three-page agency memo failed to provide meaningful analysis or justification.

The judge called the memo 'inscrutable' and lacking in 'findings, analysis, or consideration of any relevant factors.'

Lamberth is a Reagan appointee who found the actions exceeded legal authority.

The sidelined VOA employees and leadership expressed relief following Lamberth's ruling.

VOA director Michael Abramowitz stated they were 'thrilled' with the ruling.

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Abramowitz said they look forward to getting back to work.

Employees who brought the case released a joint statement.

They expressed eagerness to repair the damage inflicted by Lake.

The employees want to return to their 'congressional mandate'.

They acknowledged the road to restoration will be 'long and difficult'.

Former VOA correspondent Steve Herman called it a 'comprehensive legal defeat'.

The court battle over VOA reflects broader tensions about federally funded international broadcasting.

VOA was established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda in occupied regions.

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It has served as a critical tool of American soft power globally.

The network was designed to model journalism in a pluralistic democracy.

Until Lake's overhaul, VOA reached 361 million people weekly on 49 language services.

The administration's actions raise concerns about VOA regaining editorial independence.

Legal experts warn there may be an 'imminent battle' over the editorial firewall.

The firewall is meant to protect VOA from partisan political influence.