VOA director launches suit to restore VOA

Note to staff

VOA director provides update after US Court of Appeals hears oral arguments

Published April 27, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share a few updates concerning Voice of America.

This past Thursday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held a hearing to consider the government’s appeal of Judge Lamberth’s order last fall blocking my removal as VOA director.

The Justice Department’s attorney advanced two principal arguments: first, that my claim should be heard by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) rather than in federal court; and second, that the law restricting the president’s ability to remove the VOA director without a vote of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board (IBAB) is unconstitutional. According to news reports, the judges reacted with some skepticism to these arguments, though it is always difficult to predict outcomes based on oral argument. My attorneys expect a ruling within the next several months.

Meanwhile, the core of the two lawsuits filed by me and other VOA plaintiffs remains in limbo as we await the government’s appeal of Judge Lamberth’s order returning federal staff from administrative leave. Briefs are due this summer, with a hearing likely to be scheduled for the fall. In the meantime, plaintiffs’ counsel is seeking to enforce Judge Lamberth’s directive requiring USAGM to produce a “reconstitution plan” for Voice of America and provide status reports on the judge’s order that all the actions to close down VOA be withdrawn. I will keep you updated as developments unfold.

On a related legal matter, Gilbert Employment Law has filed a class action on behalf of agency employees who separated under VERA, VSIP, or the DRP. The lawsuit follows Judge Lamberth’s finding that Kari Lake did not have the authority to take various actions during her tenure at USAGM. The plaintiffs argue that, as a result, the separation offers extended during this period are legally “voidable.”

In addition, VOA journalists Barry Newhouse, Ayesha Tanzeem, Ksenia Turkova and Dong Hyuk Lee have filed a complaint against USAGM for firewall violations related to its management of VOA. The plaintiffs argue that USAGM is violating the VOA Charter and the Constitution by interfering with VOA’s journalism. This case is also in Judge Lamberth’s court.

On Capitol Hill, the House Appropriations Committee is working on a USAGM spending plan for FY 2027. At present, roughly 200 employees remain at the agency, broadcasting in just six languages. This is a far cry from what once existed—and from what is needed to project credible news and information globally, particularly in an environment saturated with messaging from China and Russia. I remain hopeful that lawmakers will continue to support Voice of America on a bipartisan basis.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude to those who are supporting VOA employees during this difficult period. This includes colleagues who are volunteering to assist with job searches, as well as the lawyers representing many of us in ongoing litigation. It also includes the American University business and communications schools, which are sponsoring a boot camp to help USAGM journalists develop the skills needed to launch new media ventures.

Thank you to all. You remain very much in my thoughts.

With respect,
Mike

Note to staff

VOA director disappointed but hopeful after appellate court pauses return-to-work

Published April 1, 2026

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 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.

…Read the full note.

Note to staff

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

Published 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.