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Judge Orders Trump Administration to Reinstate USAGM Staff
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction mandating that the Trump administration restore personnel at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an entity that the administration has sought to dismantle.
District Judge Royce C. Lamberth has required officials to reinstate employees and contractors who were either put on leave or terminated following the signing of an executive order on March 14. This order directed the elimination of certain non-statutory roles and functions within USAGM as well as other federal agencies.
As a direct consequence of this executive order, a significant number of employees were let go from government-supported media organizations striving to deliver news in regions with restricted press freedom, including Voice of America (VOA).
Judge Lamberth, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, expressed concerns over the Trump administration’s criteria for designating sections of USAGM as non-statutory. He noted, “Not only is there an absence of ‘reasoned analysis’ from the defendants; there is an absence of any analysis whatsoever. The defendants have provided no indication that an analysis was undertaken to determine which aspects of USAGM are statutorily required and which are not.”
The preliminary injunction further mandates the restoration of VOA programming, ensuring that USAGM meets its statutory responsibility to provide “a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news” while the legal proceedings continue.
Unions and advocacy groups expressed their relief and support following the ruling. American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley highlighted the implications of the injunction: “The Trump administration’s illegal attempt to shutter Voice of America and other outlets under USAGM was a transparent effort to silence the voices of patriotic journalists and professionals who have dedicated their careers to spreading the truth and fighting propaganda from lawless authoritarian regimes. This preliminary injunction will allow these employees to get back to work as we continue the fight to preserve their jobs and critical mission.”
Administration officials have accused USAGM of mismanagement, claiming it spreads “fake news” and is attempting to insulate itself from future political pressures. Kari Lake, a former media figure and a senior adviser appointed by Trump, stated, “Waste, fraud and abuse run rampant in this agency and American taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund it.”
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