Overview

• Acting USAGM CEO Kari Lake announced a reduction in force eliminating 532 full-time federal positions across the agency and Voice of America.
• An administration court filing said notices went to 486 VOA employees and 46 other USAGM staff, with plans to retain 108 at VOA and 158 at the agency.
• U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth blocked efforts to remove VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, ruling such action requires approval from the International Broadcasting Advisory Board.
• Lamberth ordered Lake to sit for a deposition by Sept. 15 and gave the administration a final chance to demonstrate compliance with orders to restore VOA operations.
• VOA’s publishing channels have been largely dormant since March and now produce content in only four languages, drawing union condemnation of the layoffs as unlawful.