Federal Judge Royce Lamberth has blocked President Trump’s attempt to shut down Voice of America, ruling the administration acted unlawfully in dismantling the long-running international broadcaster.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that President Trump illegally attempted to shut down Voice of America through funding cuts and staff reductions
- The court ordered restoration of VOA’s capacity to pre-Trump levels, also protecting Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks
- Trump had accused VOA of having “leftist bias” and being “the voice of radical America”
- Trump ally Kari Lake, who was placed in charge of the Agency for Global Media, called VOA “unsalvageable”
- VOA was founded in 1942 during WWII to counter Nazi propaganda and had operated continuously until March 15, 2025
Judicial Ruling Restores International Broadcaster
A federal judge has delivered a significant blow to President Trump’s efforts to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the administration’s actions to shut down the international broadcaster were unlawful. Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the restoration of VOA’s operational capacity to pre-Trump levels after the organization faced what court documents described as “hasty” and “indiscriminate” funding cuts and layoffs. The ruling also extended protection to Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, though requests regarding Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open Technology Fund were denied.
The Trump administration had implemented these changes after the president signed an executive order on March 15, 2025, to dismantle VOA’s parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Court documents revealed that the administration had used federal funds to systematically dismantle programs it disliked while attempting to enforce ideological compliance among staff. This marked the first interruption in VOA’s operations since its founding in 1942 during World War II.
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
Allegations of Media Bias
At the center of the controversy are conflicting characterizations of VOA’s mission and execution. President Trump had publicly criticized the organization, accusing it of having a “leftist bias” and being “the voice of radical America.” The president further described VOA’s content as “anti-American” and partisan “propaganda.” These accusations formed the foundation of the administration’s argument for dismantling the broadcaster, which reaches millions of people worldwide.
In contrast, lawyers representing VOA emphasized the organization’s commitment to reporting news “truthfully, impartially, and objectively.” This characterization aligns with VOA’s stated mission of providing reliable information in regions where access to free media is limited or non-existent. The judge’s ruling appears to have given more weight to this interpretation, highlighting the importance of VOA’s role in international broadcasting.
Trump Administration’s Approach to Government Media
Kari Lake, a Trump ally who was appointed as special adviser to the media agency, had taken a hard line against VOA, describing it as “unsalvageable” and alleging “waste, fraud and abuse” without providing specific evidence. Under Lake’s guidance, the administration had moved swiftly to implement changes at VOA and related broadcasters. The executive order to dismantle the agency represented a direct test of presidential authority, as Congress had established the organization as independent and specifically limited presidential power over it in legislation passed in 2020.
The VOA case appears to be part of a broader pattern in which the Trump administration has targeted post-war institutions it views as ideological opponents. Similar criticisms have been leveled at other organizations such as USAID, which Elon Musk characterized as a “viper’s nest of radical left Marxists.” Judge Lamberth’s ruling specifically sought to close loopholes in previous court decisions that had allowed the administration to keep VOA’s newsroom closed despite earlier legal challenges.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Voice of America was founded during World War II specifically to counter Nazi propaganda and later evolved to project pro-American views during the Cold War. The organization has broadcast in multiple languages and formats to reach audiences in countries where free press is restricted or censored. A labor union representing VOA workers praised Judge Lamberth’s ruling as an affirmation of independent journalism’s critical role in democracy.
Judge Lamberth is currently handling multiple court challenges to President Trump’s executive order from VOA journalists and press freedom organizations. The ruling represents a significant check on executive authority and raises questions about the administration’s approach to government-funded media organizations. For now, VOA’s operations will be restored to their previous capacity, allowing the broadcaster to resume its international mission.
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
