Note to staff
VOA director provides update on legal status of case
By Michael Abramowitz, VOA director
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.
We are still awaiting rulings from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on other issues in the litigation, including whether the administration may terminate my employment and whether other employees who remain on administrative leave must be returned to work.
I know how difficult and prolonged this period has been for so many of you. I remain hopeful about the future of Voice of America. I am heartened that Congress is still funding the agency and understands its value to the United States and its influence globally. I am also grateful that some of you have been called back to work over the past six months; I hope that many more of you will be called back in the coming months. The United States needs a robust Voice of America.
I remain deeply grateful for your perseverance, commitment to one another, and continued dedication to VOA’s mission. I will continue to keep you informed as these matters develop.
Sincerely,
Mike