Overview

• U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Trump administration to restore operations, staff, and funding for Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Network.
• The court found the administration’s actions to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media arbitrary, lacking reasoned analysis, and in violation of statutory and constitutional requirements.
• The judge emphasized that the executive branch cannot unilaterally defund congressionally appropriated programs, calling the cuts a direct affront to legislative authority.
• The shutdown disrupted news broadcasts relied upon by millions globally, particularly in regions without press freedom, raising concerns about U.S. soft power and public diplomacy.
• Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was excluded from the injunction due to separate ongoing litigation, while Voice of America and other networks are to resume operations immediately.