March 17, 2026

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

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

March 8, 2026

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

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.

The practical impact of Judge Lamberth’s order is uncertain, and the judge has ordered the government to produce information by this Wednesday that should help clarify the effect of the decision. Judge Lamberth has also ordered the government to report about the current “succession plan” for the CEO position. Ms. Lake has indicated that the government plans to appeal Saturday’s ruling. I will update you as the situation moves forward.

Like all of you, I am hopeful that the Judge’s decision will pave the way for all of us to return to work and fulfill the important mission of Voice of America. Given global events, America’s “Voice” is needed more than ever!

I am grateful for your dedication and steadfastness. I would also like to thank the lawyers and plaintiffs in the “Widakuswara” case, whose motion regarding the Vacancies Act prompted Judge Lamberth’s order this weekend.

With respect,

Mike

February 5, 2026

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

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.

Although the funding level represents a reduction from prior years, it also reflects bipartisan recognition of VOA’s vital mission and a shared desire for it to continue. I am grateful to the many lawmakers who supported the legislation and to the President for signing the bill.

In the legal case, a motion for summary judgment to restore VOA to its status prior to the shutdown last March is now under consideration by Judge Lamberth. I will keep you informed as the court process moves forward.

I know this has been an extraordinarily difficult and unsettling time, particularly for those who have lost their jobs or remain on administrative leave. Please know how deeply I respect your professionalism, your resilience and your commitment to VOA’s mission. I remain hopeful for a positive outcome—not only for you and your families, but also for the country, which is stronger when VOA is able to fulfill its congressionally mandated role.

This past weekend marked VOA’s 84th anniversary. Since 1942, you and your predecessors have served America by telling its story accurately and objectively to the people of the world. This new appropriation provides a financial path for this service to endure.

With sincere thanks and warm regards,
Mike

November 17, 2025

Plaintiffs ask judge to rule agency actions were arbitrary and capricious

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.

While it will take some time for litigation to unfold, the motion is an important inflection point in our long legal struggle to restore Voice of America. The cases have followed a long and twisting road in the federal courts, but I am hopeful that today’s motion may pave the way, finally, to a robust resumption of VOA’s important work, as mandated by Congress. I am also heartened by my belief that many members of Congress, in both parties, are deeply aware of our vital mission and do not intend to allow Voice of America to be silenced forever.

Most of all, I am keenly aware that many of you have had a very challenging period over the past eight months, especially those contractors and others who lost their jobs as a result of the government’s actions. You are always in my thoughts and have my greatest respect; I very much hope our efforts will ultimately make a difference in your lives while contributing to the national security of the United States.

Sincerely,

Mike

October 6, 2025

VOA director welcomes appeals court ruling

Dear colleagues,

A panel of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals today declined to overturn Judge Lamberth’s order preventing the U.S. Agency for Global Media from terminating me as director of Voice of America. While I am gratified by the Court’s ruling, the most important thing is getting VOA back to work after the government shutdown is over and fulfilling the agency’s vital mission.

With respect,

Mike

September 30, 2025

VOA director calls judge’s ruling pausing layoffs an ‘important step’

Dear Colleagues,

I am deeply gratified that Judge Lamberth has halted the reduction in force that was supposed to go into effect this week for most of the remaining federal workers at Voice of America. I know many of you are personally relieved for now. The prospect of losing your job is always deeply upsetting, the more so given the special mission you have pursued at VOA.

In his ruling Monday, Judge Lamberth made very clear his view that the government is continuing to violate his order that the government must “restore VOA programming such that USAGM fulfills its statutory mandate that VOA ‘serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news.’”

The judge added that the Court “no longer harbors any doubt that defendants lack a plan to comply with the preliminary injunction and instead have been running out the clock on the fiscal year while remaining in violation of even the most meager reading of USAGM and Voice of America’s statutory obligations.”

Judge Lamberth’s ruling is an important step. Most of us remain on administrative leave; it is vital that we all get back to work, furthering the VOA mission in support of our Congressional mandate. In his opinion last night, Judge Lamberth indicated he would take further steps to ensure compliance with his orders concerning Voice of America.

We are also hopeful of continued funding for VOA in Congress. I believe that members of Congress continue to value Voice of America and understand that it remains a vital tool for combating the malevolent global influence of China, Russia and Iran. I believe lawmakers and members of the Administration also understand that it would be a mistake to cede the information space to U.S. geopolitical rivals in the coming years.

Please keep the faith and know how much I respect your resilience at a time of such uncertainty. I will be sure to keep you posted as events unfold. Thank you for your service and dedication to Voice of America.

Sincerely,
Mike