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. Another case fighting the shutdown of VOA, the Widakuswara case, which was 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 provides update on legal status of case
Published
Dear Colleagues,
I write to update you on the legal situation concerning VOA.
Today, Judge Lamberth held a hearing on our attorneys’ request that USAGM provide more information about its compliance with his March 17 order vacating decisions made by Kari Lake while she was serving as acting CEO.
As you may recall, Judge Lamberth ordered that all federal employees at VOA be returned to work. That order was stayed pending an appeal that will be heard in the future. However, attorneys for the plaintiffs in both my case and the Widakuswara case argue that the other provisions of the order remain in force, especially the provision vacating decisions made by Kari Lake to close VOA. Their position is that, because VOA was illegally closed, it must be restored to the status quo as it existed in March 2025. They are seeking details about the steps USAGM took to close VOA and what the agency has done to comply with Judge Lamberth’s order. I will share more information once we know the outcome of today’s hearing.
Note to staff
VOA director ‘encouraged’ by parts of Rogers’ testimony to Senate committee
Published
Dear Colleagues,
I hope this note finds you as well as possible under the circumstances. I want to provide some updates on our legal and congressional situations.
Sarah Rogers, President Trump’s nominee as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Agency, testified last week at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I am encouraged by some of her statements.
I took note, particularly, that Ms. Rogers said she intends to bring back staff and restore some coverage in Latin America and Africa, among other key areas where Voice of America has not been broadcasting over the last 16 months. Ms. Rogers’ testimony suggests she recognizes the need for a strong VOA, which plays such a vital role in telling America’s story and combating false Chinese and Russian information being disseminated globally.
Note to staff
VOA director provides update after US Court of Appeals hears oral arguments
Published
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.
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
“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