US Judge Halts Trump’s Attempt to Dismiss Voice of America Employees

• Congressional approval is now needed to revoke funding.
• Attorney claims this marks a major win for press freedom.
• Judge Oetken does not mandate that VOA restart broadcasts.

NEW YORK: A federal judge ruled on Friday that the Trump administration must halt its attempt to shut down the Voice of America (VOA), preventing the government from dismissing 1,300 journalists and other staff members at the U.S. news organization who were abruptly put on leave earlier this month.

U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken stated that the Trump administration cannot independently dismantle VOA and its associated programs, which had been approved and funded by Congress. To withdraw funding for these programs, congressional consent would be required, the judge noted.

While Oetken’s ruling did not compel VOA to resume its broadcasts, it clearly indicated that employees should not be dismissed until additional court proceedings are conducted to assess whether the proposed shutdown was “arbitrary and capricious,” thus violating federal law.

“This is a significant victory for press freedom and the First Amendment, serving as a strong rebuke to an administration that has shown blatant disregard for the democratic principles we cherish,” said Andrew Celli, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA, Radio Free Europe, and other government-funded media outlets, did not immediately offer a comment on Friday.

The agency had informed unions of its intention to terminate 623 VOA personnel, a move that “effectively prevents” any meaningful attempt to reinstate broadcasts at the level authorized by Congress, according to court filings from the plaintiffs.

Established during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA has evolved into an international media organization broadcasting in over 40 languages, delivering U.S. news narratives to audiences in countries with limited press freedoms. The U.S. Agency for Global Media employed approximately 3,500 individuals in 2024 and had an annual budget of $886 million, as reported to Congress.

Journalists from VOA and their unions took legal action against the U.S. Agency for Global Media, its acting director Victor Morales, and Special Adviser Kari Lake last week, arguing that the shutdown infringed upon the workers’ constitutional right to free speech under the First Amendment.

The lawsuit filed by VOA employees is one of four ongoing legal challenges contesting the Trump administration’s attempts to close down government-supported media operations. Similar actions have been brought forth by Radio Free Europe, a different group of VOA employees, and the grant recipient Open Technology Fund.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media contended that it had not breached the laws governing VOA‘s functions. Court documents indicated that it had minimized operations to a “statutory minimum” by reinitiating broadcasts in Cuba and reinstating 33 roles at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.