Overview

• U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth temporarily enjoined the U.S. Agency for Global Media from implementing a reduction in force that would eliminate 532 full-time government positions.
• The order maintains the status quo while the court considers plaintiffs’ motion to block the cuts, which workers say would thwart enforcement of earlier injunctions.
• Lamberth criticized the administration for showing “concerning disrespect” toward the court and noted the agency moved on the cuts hours after a hearing where a RIF was described as only a possibility.
• Acting CEO Kari Lake announced in late August that the job eliminations would take effect Tuesday and the affected roles represent the vast majority of the agency’s remaining staff.
• The judge previously required restoration of VOA programming to its statutory mandate and barred the ouster of VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, as broader disputes continue over congressionally directed funding and mission.