US Judge Halts Trump's Funding Reduction for Voice of America
A federal judge in the United States has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's administration from implementing cuts to funding for Voice of America (VOA), mandating that resources be restored to the government-funded media outlet. VOA,...
TroibNews 
A federal judge in the United States has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's administration from implementing cuts to funding for Voice of America (VOA), mandating that resources be restored to the government-funded media outlet.
VOA, along with its sister organization, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), has served as the U.S. government's foreign-language broadcasting service. Both were established during the Cold War to promote pro-Western views in the Soviet Union, with RFE/RL initially supported financially by the CIA. In recent years, they have relied on grants from Congress.
Earlier this year, Trump ordered significant reductions in funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA and RFE/RL. This decision led to many employees being placed on unpaid leave. The Trump administration has characterized this move as part of a wider strategy to dismantle bureaucratic influence and pivot towards soft power consistent with “America First” principles.
On Tuesday, Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the administration's efforts to undermine VOA were unlawful. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, Lamberth expressed concern over the sudden defunding, highlighting the potential long-term repercussions for the organization's employees and audience.
In his decision, Lamberth directed the USAGM to reinstate funding for VOA and other associated outlets and prohibited the agency from obstructing their operations. He criticized the funding cuts, stating they were enacted “without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world.”
Lamberth clarified that his ruling does not extend to RFE/RL, as he had previously issued a temporary restraining order to protect that outlet from defunding.
Trump has characterized Voice of America as outdated, biased, and an “unnecessary” burden on American taxpayers, arguing that it no longer aligns with the nation’s strategic interests. His administration has aimed to reform or eliminate various institutions linked to Cold War-era influence in favor of more direct bilateral communications.
In 2017, Russia's Justice Ministry labeled both VOA and RFE/RL as “foreign agents,” requiring them to mark their content as such. By early 2024, RFE/RL was additionally classified as an “undesirable organization,” leading to a ban on its operations in Russia and potential legal repercussions for associated individuals.
Following the U.S. funding cuts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in March that while the decision was an internal matter, he noted that “these outlets are not popular or in demand in Russia.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
VOA, along with its sister organization, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), has served as the U.S. government's foreign-language broadcasting service. Both were established during the Cold War to promote pro-Western views in the Soviet Union, with RFE/RL initially supported financially by the CIA. In recent years, they have relied on grants from Congress.
Earlier this year, Trump ordered significant reductions in funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA and RFE/RL. This decision led to many employees being placed on unpaid leave. The Trump administration has characterized this move as part of a wider strategy to dismantle bureaucratic influence and pivot towards soft power consistent with “America First” principles.
On Tuesday, Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the administration's efforts to undermine VOA were unlawful. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, Lamberth expressed concern over the sudden defunding, highlighting the potential long-term repercussions for the organization's employees and audience.
In his decision, Lamberth directed the USAGM to reinstate funding for VOA and other associated outlets and prohibited the agency from obstructing their operations. He criticized the funding cuts, stating they were enacted “without regard to the harm inflicted on employees, contractors, journalists, and media consumers around the world.”
Lamberth clarified that his ruling does not extend to RFE/RL, as he had previously issued a temporary restraining order to protect that outlet from defunding.
Trump has characterized Voice of America as outdated, biased, and an “unnecessary” burden on American taxpayers, arguing that it no longer aligns with the nation’s strategic interests. His administration has aimed to reform or eliminate various institutions linked to Cold War-era influence in favor of more direct bilateral communications.
In 2017, Russia's Justice Ministry labeled both VOA and RFE/RL as “foreign agents,” requiring them to mark their content as such. By early 2024, RFE/RL was additionally classified as an “undesirable organization,” leading to a ban on its operations in Russia and potential legal repercussions for associated individuals.
Following the U.S. funding cuts, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated in March that while the decision was an internal matter, he noted that “these outlets are not popular or in demand in Russia.”
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
