In a significant legal win for the Trump administration, the U.S. DC Court of Appeals has put a hold on a lower court’s directive that mandated over 1,000 employees of Voice of America (VOA) to resume their full broadcasting roles. “This is a notable victory for President Trump and his Article 2 powers recognized by the Constitution, as well as for U.S. Global Media (USAGM) and VOA,” Kari Lake, a senior USAGM adviser, expressed after the court’s ruling on Saturday.
This ruling now paves the way for the administration to move forward with plans to restructure USAGM and its broadcasting entities. Lake mentioned, “Our goal is to realize President Trump’s initial American agenda, which emphasizes continual modernization and increased government efficiency while curbing waste and misuse.”
Following an executive order in March that affected the agency, a judge has now reinstated American voices. The executive action had resulted in administrative leave for around 1,300 employees and numerous contract terminations.
The Court’s decision reaffirmed the importance of judicial respect when it comes to federal employment and contract matters. It noted that the district court likely lacks the jurisdiction to intervene in the administration’s personnel and financial dealings, especially concerning grant agreements with non-federal organizations like Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Network.
This legal development comes after President Trump’s March 14 Executive Order aiming to dismantle USAGM operations. A White House official commented at that time that VOA had diverged from its intended purpose, serving as a divisive voice for years.
The executive order led to the cessation of administrative duties for approximately 1,300 VOA employees and halted operations for the first time in the station’s 83-year history. Lake noted, “Sadly, this baseless lawsuit has hindered VOA’s ability to eliminate outdated practices and redundant programs, costing agents and their employees more than it benefits them.”
Legal analyst Jonathan Turley highlighted the significance of the ruling, stating, “The D.C. Circuit has made a major ruling in favor of the Trump administration, which revokes its decision to terminate contracts and positions at Voice of America.”
The ruling on Saturday reportedly restored access to computers for VOA employees, who had been locked out, following a federal judge’s order that was reinstated after the administration backed a plaintiff’s request for a preliminary injunction against Trump’s Executive Order.
The court’s full judgment can be found here.
