A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to immediately restore full operations at **Voice of America**, reinstating more than 1,000 employees placed on administrative leave for nearly a year and requiring resumption of international broadcasting. The ruling marks a major setback for efforts to downsize or dismantle the government-funded broadcaster, which has provided news and information in multiple languages to global audiences since World War II.

Voice of America was created during World War II
AFP

U.S. District Court Judge **Royce C. Lamberth** of the District of Columbia issued the decision in response to ongoing litigation challenging actions by the **U.S. Agency for Global Media** (USAGM), VOA's parent agency. In a pair of rulings, Lamberth declared that moves to reduce VOA to a "statutory minimum" — including suspending broadcasts and sidelining staff — violated federal administrative law. He directed that 1,042 full-time VOA employees, who have been on paid administrative leave since early 2025, must return to work by March 23.

The judge gave USAGM one week to submit a detailed plan for resuming normal operations, including putting Voice of America back on the air in its full capacity. The broadcaster has functioned with only a skeleton staff during the period, severely limiting its multilingual news programming, radio, television and digital output.

The order stems from a broader campaign under President Donald Trump to overhaul or eliminate certain federal agencies, including USAGM. In early 2025, Trump issued an executive order effectively shutting down VOA operations, leading to the placement of most employees on leave. **Kari Lake**, a Trump ally appointed to oversee USAGM, implemented measures that critics said amounted to dismantling the agency, including mass administrative leaves and broadcast suspensions.

Lamberth's Tuesday ruling built on prior decisions in the case. Earlier in March 2026, he had voided many of Lake's actions from 2025, ruling that her appointment and authority violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution's Appointments Clause. He declared those steps "null and void," paving the way for the latest reinstatement mandate.

The decision emphasizes that USAGM cannot unilaterally withhold congressionally appropriated funds or reduce operations below levels required by law. VOA's statutory mandate requires it to serve as a "consistently reliable and authoritative source of news" for international audiences, particularly in regions with limited press freedom.

VOA, founded in 1942, broadcasts in nearly 50 languages and reaches hundreds of millions worldwide through radio, TV, digital platforms and social media. It has long been viewed as a tool of U.S. public diplomacy, countering disinformation and promoting democratic values. Supporters argue its independence from government editorial control — protected by the VOA Charter — makes it a credible source abroad.

The reinstatement comes amid heightened global tensions, including ongoing conflicts that underscore the need for independent international news. Analysts note the timing could bolster U.S. soft power efforts at a critical juncture.

USAGM and administration officials have not immediately commented on the ruling, though Lake previously dismissed similar court findings as "bogus" and indicated appeals were likely. The White House did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday evening.

Journalists' unions and advocacy groups hailed the decision as a victory for press freedom and federal employee protections. The National Federation of Federal Employees and other plaintiffs in the case argued that the shutdowns were unlawful and arbitrary. Attorneys for the employees praised Lamberth for enforcing compliance with statutory requirements.

The ruling excludes contracted workers, focusing on full-time federal staff. However, it requires broader restoration of programming, which could indirectly affect contractors who support broadcasts.

The case remains ongoing, with potential for further appeals that could delay full implementation. Previous preliminary injunctions in 2025 had temporarily blocked some cuts, but the administration continued scaling back operations pending final resolution.

For VOA staff, the order brings relief after a year of uncertainty. Many have remained on paid leave while pursuing other opportunities or advocacy work to save the agency. Returning employees will resume roles in news gathering, production and dissemination across languages including Arabic, Persian, Russian, Mandarin and others.

The broader implications extend to other USAGM entities, such as Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, which faced similar funding and operational challenges. While the Tuesday ruling centers on VOA, it reinforces legal limits on executive authority over congressionally funded independent agencies.

As USAGM prepares its compliance plan by next week's deadline, the focus shifts to logistics: recalling staff, restarting studios, reactivating transmission networks and restoring digital infrastructure. VOA's Washington headquarters, largely quiet for months, could soon buzz with activity again.

The ruling underscores ongoing tensions between the administration's efforts to streamline government and congressional intent to maintain independent international broadcasting. With appeals possible, the future of Voice of America hangs in the balance, but Tuesday's decision delivers a clear directive: resume operations and bring journalists back to work.