Overview

• Kari Lake said the U.S. Agency for Global Media initiated a reduction in force eliminating 532 full-time government positions, with notices sent Friday night.
• The layoffs primarily target Voice of America, with agency filings indicating roughly 100 VOA journalists and support staff would remain after the cuts.
• U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth barred the removal of VOA Director Michael Abramowitz without board approval and ordered Lake to sit for a deposition by Sept. 15.
• Plaintiffs and union representatives said affected employees will have about 30 days before pay and benefits end, denouncing the action as unlawful.
• Government lawyers argue the administration has broad discretion to set VOA’s level of service, while operations have already shrunk from 49 language services to four after a botched June layoff attempt was rescinded.