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The judge described the Trump administration’s action to close Voice of America as a “typical example of an unjustified and whimsically made choice.”
On Friday, a U.S. judge halted attempts by President Donald Trump’s administration to turn off Voice of America (VOA) , an internationally funded news organization supported by the U.S.
The court described the action as a "prime example of an arbitrary and unfounded choice."
In his ruling, Judge James Paul Oetken did not mandate the restart of broadcasts. Nevertheless, it effectively prevented the Trump administration from dismissing over 1,200 journalists, engineers, and other personnel who had been unexpectedly put on leave earlier that month.
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Oetken’s directive prohibited the U.S. Agency for Global Media — responsible for overseeing entities like VOA and Radio Free Europe — from making “any further effort to terminate, reduce-in-force, place on leave, or furlough” staff members or contractors.
It additionally prohibited the agency from closing any of its offices or instructing foreign-based staff to come back to the United States.
The lawsuit was initiated by VOA employees. , along with organizations like Unions and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), claimed that the shutdown infringed upon the employees' constitutional First Amendment rights to freedom of expression.
Plaintiffs welcome court order
This represents a crucial win for press freedom and the protections offered by the First Amendment, serving as a clear condemnation of the Trump administration’s “complete lack of respect” for the values that underpin our democratic system, according to Andrew G. Celli Jr., who represented the plaintiffs.
"We are delighted that the judge has decided to halt any additional actions by the government aimed at dismantling Voice of America," stated Clayton Weimers, the executive director of RSF USA.
"Implore the Trump administration to swiftly unfreeze funds for VOA and promptly reinstatement of its staff without additional delays," Weimers emphasized.
