"The leadership of USAGM cannot... force RFE/RL to shut down—even if the President has told them to do so."
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Workers at the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty broadcast networks filed a motion requesting a restraining order against the news outlets being shut down. On Tuesday, US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted that ask and further "ordered that the defendants and their agents take no steps and impose no obligations relating to closing out the plaintiff's grant."
The shut down, under USAGM head Kari Lake, came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. Lake said that the executive order was to "scale back the bureaucracy."
On March 19, the employees asked for the "immediate disbursement of $7,464,559 in congressionally appropriated funds for the period of March 1–14, 2025 and an order enjoining implementation of the termination letter."
The VOA responded: "The agency has taken immediate administrative steps to initiate the disbursement of an amount totaling $7,464,559. Given the mechanics of the Treasury process, we believe that the payment will be in their system by March 26, 2025. We expect to provide Proof of Payment by March 26, 2025. Actual disbursement to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty will occur within a week from today’s date."
The judge removed that portion of the ask from his decision, saying it was now moot. However, the temporary restraining order was granted based on his belief that because Congress had created law to authorize VOA, the executive branch could not disable it.
He ruled: "Congress has found that 'it is the policy of the United States to promote the right of freedom of opinion and expression' and that 'open communication of information and ideas among the peoples of the world contributes to international peace and stability.' International Broadcasting Act of 1973, 87 Stat. at 457. RFE/RL has, for decades, operated as one of the organizations that Congress has statutorily designated to carry out this policy. The leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down—even if the President has told them to do so."
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Agency all fall under the broadcasting purview of VOA. Lake was appointed and confirmed as head of USAGM and was then faced with an executive order from Donald Trump to dismantle VOA down to its statute.
In an interview with The Post Millennial, she said she had cut grants to global programs, such as Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting, and others. She also put nearly half the workforce on administrative leave. Her mission, she said, is to bring the broadcast networks in line with American values. Lake also wanted to expand the reporting capability of the agency to bring in reporters and journalists that would fulfill the congressional mandate.
The VOA has a three-pronged mission: to: "serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news from which news will be accurate, objective and comprehensive;" "represent America, not any single segment of American society;" "present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions;" "present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively;" and "present responsible discussions and opinions on these policies."
Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty v Kari Lake ruling by The Post Millennial on Scribd
The shut down, under USAGM head Kari Lake, came after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy. Lake said that the executive order was to "scale back the bureaucracy."
On March 19, the employees asked for the "immediate disbursement of $7,464,559 in congressionally appropriated funds for the period of March 1–14, 2025 and an order enjoining implementation of the termination letter."
The VOA responded: "The agency has taken immediate administrative steps to initiate the disbursement of an amount totaling $7,464,559. Given the mechanics of the Treasury process, we believe that the payment will be in their system by March 26, 2025. We expect to provide Proof of Payment by March 26, 2025. Actual disbursement to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty will occur within a week from today’s date."
The judge removed that portion of the ask from his decision, saying it was now moot. However, the temporary restraining order was granted based on his belief that because Congress had created law to authorize VOA, the executive branch could not disable it.
He ruled: "Congress has found that 'it is the policy of the United States to promote the right of freedom of opinion and expression' and that 'open communication of information and ideas among the peoples of the world contributes to international peace and stability.' International Broadcasting Act of 1973, 87 Stat. at 457. RFE/RL has, for decades, operated as one of the organizations that Congress has statutorily designated to carry out this policy. The leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down—even if the President has told them to do so."
Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Agency all fall under the broadcasting purview of VOA. Lake was appointed and confirmed as head of USAGM and was then faced with an executive order from Donald Trump to dismantle VOA down to its statute.
In an interview with The Post Millennial, she said she had cut grants to global programs, such as Radio Free Europe, Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting, and others. She also put nearly half the workforce on administrative leave. Her mission, she said, is to bring the broadcast networks in line with American values. Lake also wanted to expand the reporting capability of the agency to bring in reporters and journalists that would fulfill the congressional mandate.
The VOA has a three-pronged mission: to: "serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news from which news will be accurate, objective and comprehensive;" "represent America, not any single segment of American society;" "present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions;" "present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively;" and "present responsible discussions and opinions on these policies."
Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty v Kari Lake ruling by The Post Millennial on Scribd
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