Federal Judge Royce Lamberth has struck down President Trump’s attempts to shut down Voice of America, ruling the administration’s actions illegal and ordering the restoration of the international broadcaster’s operations.
Key Insights
- Judge Lamberth ruled that President Trump illegally halted the operation of Voice of America through funding cuts and employee dismissals
- The court ordered VOA’s capacity to be restored to pre-Trump levels and extended protection to Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks
- The Trump administration, which appointed ally Kari Lake to oversee the Agency for Global Media, accused VOA of having “leftist bias” and being “anti-American”
- VOA was founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda and has operated continuously until Trump’s executive order on March 15, 2025
- The ruling represents a significant affirmation of press freedom and the independence Congress established for these agencies in 2020
Court Blocks Presidential Overreach
In a significant judicial rebuke to the Trump administration, Federal Judge Royce Lamberth has ruled against President Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the Voice of America and its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The March 15 order, which effectively shuttered VOA through what the court described as “hasty” and “indiscriminate” funding cuts and staff layoffs, has been deemed illegal. Judge Lamberth’s ruling mandates the immediate restoration of VOA’s operational capacity to pre-executive order levels, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing tension between the administration and government-funded media outlets.
The court decision also extends protection to Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, ordering their restoration as well. However, the judge denied similar requests for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open Technology Fund, creating a partial victory for the administration. The ruling exposes a complex legal landscape surrounding these institutions, which were granted increased independence from presidential control by Congress in 2020 legislation specifically designed to limit executive authority over these broadcasters.
NEW: Voice of America, silent for the first tiem in 80 years, must resume operations at level prior to Trump's effort to dismantle it, a fedearl judge ruled, concluding that the effort ot gut it likely violated the law and constitution. https://t.co/dV4TWB93LV pic.twitter.com/5ekGZDxgeD
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 22, 2025
Trump Administration Claims Media Bias
President Trump has consistently criticized Voice of America throughout his administration, describing it as “the voice of radical America” that spreads “anti-American” content. The administration justified the executive order by claiming VOA possessed a “leftist bias” that prevented it from being sufficiently “pro-American” in its reporting. This perspective represented a fundamental disagreement about VOA’s mission, with administration officials including Kari Lake, who was appointed to oversee the Agency for Global Media, describing the broadcaster as “unsalvageable” and alleging “waste, fraud and abuse” without providing specific examples.
In contrast, legal representatives for VOA have defended the organization’s commitment to reporting “truthfully, impartially, and objectively.” The court ruling appears to side with this interpretation of VOA’s purpose, recognizing the broadcaster’s historical role in providing reliable news to regions with limited access to free press. Judge Lamberth’s decision explicitly aims to close loopholes from previous rulings that had allowed the administration to maintain the closure of VOA’s newsroom despite earlier legal challenges.
Historical Context and Broader Implications
Voice of America’s establishment during World War II in 1942 as a counter to Nazi propaganda gives historical weight to the current controversy. The broadcaster has operated continuously for over 80 years until President Trump’s executive order disrupted operations last month. The organization evolved during the Cold War to project pro-US perspectives globally, particularly to regions lacking free media. This latest conflict represents part of a broader pattern in which the Trump administration has targeted post-war institutions viewed as ideologically opposed to its agenda.
Labor unions representing VOA journalists have celebrated Judge Lamberth’s ruling as an affirmation of independent journalism’s vital role in maintaining democratic principles. Multiple legal challenges to the executive order remain active, with Judge Lamberth handling several cases brought by VOA journalists and press freedom organizations. The outcome may set important precedents regarding the limits of presidential authority over agencies established by Congress to function with prescribed independence from executive branch control, potentially affecting other institutions currently experiencing similar tensions with the administration.
Sources:
- US judge blocks Trump’s effort to shutter international news service – DNyuz
- Judge Blocks Trump Effort to Dismantle Voice of America – The New York Times
