A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration’s effective closure of Voice of America last year was “illegal” and ordered the international broadcaster to be put back on air within one week.
District Court Judge Royce Lamberth found that the mass firing of more than 1,000 VOA journalists was “arbitrary and capricious” and that the government had failed to consider legislation determining which languages and regions the broadcaster must serve.
“Defendants have provided nothing approaching a principled basis for their decision,” Lamberth wrote in Tuesday’s ruling.
The Background
Voice of America was established during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda. It broadcasts TV, radio, and digital content in nearly 50 languages, serving as America’s official international broadcaster.
Just weeks after returning to office last year, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to close the broadcaster, which his officials accused of left-wing bias. He also ordered outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”.
Trump appointed Kari Lake to head the US Agency for Global Media — the parent company that oversees and funds VOA as well as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia.
Lake proceeded to sack more than 85% of the agency’s employees — more than 1,000 staff at VOA alone — leaving just a handful in their jobs. Most have been on paid administrative leave since last year, including Persian Service reporters who were called back to work after Israel attacked Iran last June.
The Legal Challenge
Three VOA journalists sued the Trump administration. Last week, Judge Lamberth ruled that Lake did not have the authority to order the suspension of the USAGM workforce because she had not been confirmed by the Senate.
Tuesday’s ruling went further, finding the decision to fire the journalists itself unlawful.
One of the plaintiffs, Patsy Widakuswara, said she was deeply grateful for the judge’s decision.
“We hope the American people will continue to support our mission to produce journalism, not propaganda,” she told the Associated Press.
What Comes Next
The order gives authorities one week to reinstate hundreds of journalists and resume broadcasting. It is not clear whether Sarah Rogers, Lake’s nominated successor, whose appointment requires Senate confirmation, will appeal.
Trump’s criticisms of VOA are part of his broader attacks on the US media, which studies suggest American news consumers view as highly polarized.
For now, the judge has spoken: the shutdown was illegal, and Voice of America must return to the airwaves. Whether the administration complies — or fights on — remains to be seen.
