US court supports Trump's decision to cut funding for Voice of America
The anticipated resumption of operations at Voice of America has been impeded by a recent court decision. A US appellate court has overturned a ruling that aimed to re-open the government-funded media outlet Voice of America, which was closed...
TroibNews 
The anticipated resumption of operations at Voice of America has been impeded by a recent court decision.
A US appellate court has overturned a ruling that aimed to re-open the government-funded media outlet Voice of America, which was closed by US President Donald Trump.
In March, Trump halted funding for the US Agency for Global Media, the parent organization responsible for several entities that convey Washington’s messages to international audiences. Subsequently, a federal judge in Washington issued an injunction in April, mandating the government to maintain financial support for VOA and its affiliates.
However, the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled on Saturday in favor of the government's position that the district court lacked jurisdiction over matters concerning USAGM’s personnel and funding. The 2-1 decision indicated that the Trump administration “is likely to succeed on the merits” in the ongoing litigation.
Dissenting Judge Cornelia Pillard cautioned that the stay order “all but guarantees that the networks will no longer exist in any meaningful form by the time this case is fully adjudicated.”
USAGM senior advisor Kari Lake expressed approval of the ruling, stating on X, “Turns out the District Court judge will not be able to manage the agency as he seemed to want to.”
On the same day, the international organization Reporters Without Borders, which is advocating for the preservation of VOA, hailed what it termed a “victory against the Trump administration.” RsF noted a communication from USAGM indicating that “1,406 employees and contractors” had their accounts reactivated, and that VOA programming is expected to restart “next week.”
The Trump administration’s objective is to reduce government expenditures to tackle persistent federal budget deficits. During the initial 100 days of his second term, the US president mandated the suspension of various agencies involved in foreign policy operations, with his cabinet alleging these agencies were funding excessive projects and potentially engaging in corrupt practices.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
A US appellate court has overturned a ruling that aimed to re-open the government-funded media outlet Voice of America, which was closed by US President Donald Trump.
In March, Trump halted funding for the US Agency for Global Media, the parent organization responsible for several entities that convey Washington’s messages to international audiences. Subsequently, a federal judge in Washington issued an injunction in April, mandating the government to maintain financial support for VOA and its affiliates.
However, the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled on Saturday in favor of the government's position that the district court lacked jurisdiction over matters concerning USAGM’s personnel and funding. The 2-1 decision indicated that the Trump administration “is likely to succeed on the merits” in the ongoing litigation.
Dissenting Judge Cornelia Pillard cautioned that the stay order “all but guarantees that the networks will no longer exist in any meaningful form by the time this case is fully adjudicated.”
USAGM senior advisor Kari Lake expressed approval of the ruling, stating on X, “Turns out the District Court judge will not be able to manage the agency as he seemed to want to.”
On the same day, the international organization Reporters Without Borders, which is advocating for the preservation of VOA, hailed what it termed a “victory against the Trump administration.” RsF noted a communication from USAGM indicating that “1,406 employees and contractors” had their accounts reactivated, and that VOA programming is expected to restart “next week.”
The Trump administration’s objective is to reduce government expenditures to tackle persistent federal budget deficits. During the initial 100 days of his second term, the US president mandated the suspension of various agencies involved in foreign policy operations, with his cabinet alleging these agencies were funding excessive projects and potentially engaging in corrupt practices.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
