Abramowitz v. LakeFiled: March 26, 2025
VOA director launches suit to restore VOA
The case led by Michael Abramowitz is largely joined with the lawsuit filed by a coalition of employees and unions.
Michael Abramowitz is sworn as the VOA director on June 24, 2024.
Updated
On March 26, 2025, VOA Director Michael Abramowitz filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to restore Voice of America. A second case, the Widakuswara case, originally filed in New York, was subsequently reassigned to the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, the same judge hearing the Abramowitz case.
Both cases have been largely moving together through that courtroom as well as at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Lawyers in both cases have joined forces on the major motions in the two cases.
In August 2025, Lamberth ruled that USAGM was prohibited from firing Abramowitz without approval from a majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board as is required by law. President Donald Trump fired the advisory board shortly after taking office.
A panel of judges at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined in October 2025 to stay Lamberth’s ruling, ensuring Abramowitz would not be fired while litigation continues. USAGM had tried to fire Abramowitz after he refused to step down as VOA director and take an unrelated job in North Carolina.
After nearly a year of litigation, Lamberth ruled in March 2026 that Kari Lake’s attempt to bring VOA and USAGM to the “statutory minimum” was unlawful. He set aside VOA’s suspension of broadcasting operations and ordered that employees on administrative leave be returned to work. The return-to-work order was later stayed by the appellate court.
Note to staff
VOA director disappointed but hopeful after appellate court pauses return-to-work
Published
Dear Colleagues,
A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia last night stayed Judge Lamberth’s order requiring all VOA employees on administrative leave to be brought back to work. The practical impact of the new order is that it is, for now, up to USAGM whether to bring people back. We await indications from USAGM about what they plan to do.
I am disappointed by the ruling but remain hopeful. Before last night’s order, USAGM had told Judge Lamberth that it has developed a plan to bring the VOA employees on administrative leave back to work over the next two months. It is very much in the national interest that the agency continue to implement its plan to restore Voice of America.
I will keep you posted as new developments arise. Thank you for your continued dedication to Voice of America.
With respect,
Mike
Note to staff
VOA director ‘thrilled’ with ruling to bring VOA employees back to work
Published
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 staff
VOA director hopes judge’s ruling will pave way for VOA employees to return to work
Published
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.
Note to staff
VOA director says congressional funding for VOA is a recognition of its ‘vital’ mission
Published
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.
“It is especially urgent for Voice of America to resume robust programming, which is so important for the security and influence of the United States.”
— VOA Director Michael Abramowitz