Judge Orders Restoration of Voice of America, Reinstates Staff
Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled Kari Lake's actions invalid and ordered USAGM to restore VOA and roughly 1,000–1,147 employees, citing Vacancies Act and Appointments Clause violations.
NBC NewsJudge orders Voice of America to reinstate 1,000 employees cut under Kari Lake
The GuardianJudge orders more than 1,000 Voice of America employees to be reinstated
NPRJudge orders 1,000 Voice of America staffers back to work in rebuke to Kari Lake
CBS NewsJudge orders Trump administration to restore Voice of America and bring back hundreds of staff
Overview
U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media to restore Voice of America operations and return roughly 1,000 to 1,147 employees to work by 23 March, according to court rulings.
Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake's appointment violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution's Appointments Clause and described her cuts as arbitrary and capricious, nullifying actions she took at USAGM.
Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz praised the ruling and plaintiffs including Patsy Widakuswara called it a 'monumental decision,' while Kari Lake said she planned to appeal and Trump nominated Sarah Rogers to lead USAGM.
Before the cuts, Voice of America broadcast in 49 languages to roughly 361 to 420 million people, and the administration's reductions shrank services to about four to six languages.
Lamberth gave USAGM one week to devise a plan to return VOA to the air and declined to reinstate hundreds of contractors, saying their disputes belong in administrative labor proceedings.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a rebuke to Trump-aligned efforts, using evaluative language and selective emphasis. Editorial choices highlight the judge's harsh ruling and VOA's historical public-service role, foreground quotes from VOA leaders and court findings, while providing minimal direct defense from Lake or Trump allies, shaping a pro-VOA, critical-of-Lake narrative.
FAQ
Judge Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake's appointment as acting CEO of USAGM violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution's Appointments Clause because she was not the first assistant at the time of the vacancy and her delegations unlawfully transformed her into the de facto CEO without Senate confirmation.
The ruling nullified Kari Lake's layoffs of roughly 1,000–1,147 USAGM and Voice of America employees, cuts to broadcasting services, termination of office leases, and other decisions made during her tenure from July 31 to November 19, 2025.
The court ordered USAGM to restore Voice of America operations and reinstate employees by March 23, with a plan due within one week, and required a status report by March 11 detailing acting CEOs and succession plans since November 19, 2025.[3]
Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz and plaintiffs like Patsy Widakuswara praised it as a monumental decision; Kari Lake strongly disagreed, plans to appeal, and called the judge an activist.
Before cuts, VOA broadcast in 49 languages to 361–420 million people; reductions shrank services to 4–6 languages, affecting journalism to regions like Iran, North Korea, and China.[4]
