Judge Demands Answers After VOA Layoffs Silenced 85% of Staff
A federal judge pressed the U.S. government Monday to clarify how Voice of America (VOA) is continuing its mission after sending layoff notices to hundreds of employees. The move follows sweeping staff cuts across the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees VOA.
On June 20, notices were issued to 639 VOA and USAGM employees, shrinking the workforce by roughly 85%, about 1,400 jobs lost since March. Among those dismissed were personnel from VOA’s Persian-language service, abruptly recalled from leave amid Middle East news coverage before being let go.
At a Washington, D.C., hearing, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth expressed doubt about the government’s claim of “good faith” in implementing an April court injunction aimed at protecting VOA’s statutory role. He also revealed that the Justice Department failed to notify the court before layoffs occurred, a violation of his earlier order. He has demanded a written update by Friday outlining how VOA will continue its legally required operations.
The administration, led by USAGM senior adviser Kari Lake and set in motion by former President Trump, cast the layoffs as part of a mission to eliminate “waste” in what Lake described as a “bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy”. Lake told lawmakers earlier this summer that VOA staffing levels would be reduced to the legal minimum to just 81 personnel.
Opponents argue these cuts have effectively muted VOA worldwide. Michael Abramowitz, VOA director, claims the organization has been virtually silenced. He said staffers remain on administrative leave and programming is “mostly halted”. Former Persian‑service staff noted that three employees returned to cover war-related updates only to have their badges revoked minutes later.
Jessica Jerreat, Kate Neeper and Patsy Widakuswara are among VOA employees suing the government and warned that the cuts threaten “83 years of independent journalism,” which has informed audiences in nations lacking press freedom.
VOA, founded in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda, now reaches about 360 million people weekly in nearly 50 languages. Congress approved $262 million in funding for fiscal 2025, yet nearly all employees were placed on leave mid‑March following President Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling USAGM.
A federal judge in April declared that VOA’s closure likely violated the First Amendment and blocked the administration’s efforts. However, an appellate court halted enforcement, stating lower courts lacked jurisdiction to force rehires.
At recent hearings, plaintiffs argued that continuing pay without work does not fulfill VOA’s legally required global broadcasts. Judge Lamberth said: “What would be the purpose of Voice of America if there was no voice?”.
With just 250 staffers remaining across USAGM, VOA and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, VOA continues to broadcast on a sharply reduced scale. Media observers warn that if VOA remains silent, it creates a vacuum that rival states could exploit by promoting state-controlled narratives.
Pending submissions to the court, VOA staff and plaintiffs seek a new compliance plan outlining how the agency intends to restore programming and uphold congressional directives.
