Overview

• U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration's efforts to defund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
• The judge ruled that RFE/RL's operations are protected by congressional authority and cannot be unilaterally shut down by the executive branch.
• The Justice Department confirmed that $7.4 million in funds had been disbursed, but RFE/RL warned this is only a temporary solution and further funding is needed to avoid layoffs and potential shutdown by April 2025.
• RFE/RL operates in 27 languages across 23 countries, reaching over 47 million people weekly, and is seen as a vital tool for countering authoritarian propaganda and promoting democratic values.
• The case highlights tensions between executive efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy and Congress's control over appropriations, with broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and soft power.