Courthouse press conference

Judge: “What would be the purpose of Voice of America if there was no voice?”

With virtually no TV or radio broadcasts, plaintiffs argue that the government isn’t complying with Judge Lamberth’s order to preserve VOA.

By Patsy Widakuswara, Jessica Jerreat and Kate Neeper

June 23, 2025

The named plaintiffs in Widakuswara v. Lake speak at a press conference on Monday after a hearing at the U.S. District Court in Washington. Their lawyers argued that the government has not been complying with District Judge Royce Lamberth’s order to preserve VOA.

The judge gave the administration until Friday to explain its actions at VOA. “What would be the purpose of Voice of America if there was no voice?” Lamberth asked the government lawyers during the hearing.