VOA director launches suit to restore VOA

Note to the staff

VOA director ‘thrilled’ with ruling to bring VOA employees back to work

March 17, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to report that Judge Lamberth ruled this afternoon that the government’s actions last year to place more than 1000 USAGM employees on administrative leave, most of them from Voice of America, were illegal and should be set aside. He ordered staff back to work by Monday, March 23rd.

I am thrilled with Judge Lamberth’s ruling and, like all of you, I will be grateful to get back to work. Given world events, Voice of America has never been more needed. I look forward to working with you and the Trump administration to make sure VOA fulfills its vital mandate, as established by Congress more than eight decades ago.

I know many of you will have questions about the scope of the ruling and how VOA operations will be restored. The lawyers are still digesting today’s ruling, and I may have more to report in the coming days. Judge Lamberth made clear that his order sending employees back to work, unfortunately does not extend to the more than 500 personal service contractors fired last spring. I deeply regret that, and I hope there will be a path to bring these talented colleagues back to work.

It is also possible that the government will appeal today’s ruling. While this is not likely the end of the litigation, lawmakers in both parties understand the urgent need for a strong Voice of America and have appropriated enough funds for the agency to do its job. It is time for all parties to come together and work to rebuild and strengthen the agency.

Please know how much I appreciate your resilience and steadfast dedication to Voice of America. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Respectfully,
Mike

Note to the staff

VOA director hopes judge’s ruling will pave way for VOA employees to return to work

March 8, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth last night voided all official actions taken by Kari Lake between July 31 and November 19, including the reduction in force notices received by Voice of America staff on August 29. Judge Lamberth ruled that Ms. Lake was illegally installed as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, in violation of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act governing appointments to Senate-confirmed positions that are unfilled.

…Read the full note.

Note to the staff

VOA director says congressional funding for VOA is a recognition of its ‘vital’ mission

February 5, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

I am very pleased that Congress has passed, and President Trump has signed, an appropriations bill providing funding for Voice of America for the remainder of the fiscal year.

…Read the full note.

Note to the staff

Plaintiffs ask judge to rule agency actions were arbitrary and capricious

November 17, 2025

Dear VOA colleagues,

I want to let you know that lawyers for both sets of plaintiffs in the VOA case filed a motion for summary judgment in our lawsuits seeking the restoration of Voice of America. We are asking Judge Lamberth to find that USAGM actions taken to reduce VOA to its “statutory minimum” were arbitrary and capricious, a violation of law, and should be set aside. We are asking Judge Lamberth to reinstate full-time federal workers and contractors, rescind RIF notices and ensure that VOA be restored to the network that existed before March 14.

…Read the full note.