Overview

• U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth temporarily blocked a reduction in force that would eliminate 532 full-time government positions, representing most remaining USAGM staff.
• Lamberth criticized the administration for showing "concerning disrespect" toward the court and wrote that the conduct could support civil contempt proceedings.
• The pause maintains the status quo while the court considers plaintiffs’ bid to permanently stop the layoffs and reviews compliance with an April injunction to restore VOA programming.
• Acting CEO Kari Lake announced the cuts in late August; employees say the plan would cement deficient output, while government lawyers argue plaintiffs are trying to micromanage operations.
• The dispute follows a March executive order directing minimal operations that preceded a halt to VOA broadcasts; Congress has appropriated USAGM funding with a specified allocation for VOA.