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US Judge Halts Trump's Move to Fire Voice of America Staff

W. Syaban

March 28, 2025

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) a U.S.-funded global news organization.

The court described the action as a "prime example of an arbitrary and whimsical choice."

In his ruling, Judge James Paul Oetken did not mandate the reinstatement of broadcasting activities. Nonetheless, it effectively prevented the Trump administration from dismissing over 1,200 journalists, engineers, and other personnel who had been unexpectedly put on leave earlier in the month.

Oetken's directive prevented the U.S. Agency for Global Media — responsible for overseeing organizations like VOA and Radio Free Europe — from making any additional efforts to terminate, reduce staff, put employees on leave, or furlough them.

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 breached the employees' constitutional First Amendment rights regarding freedom of expression.

Plaintiffs welcome court order

This represents a crucial win for media freedoms and the protections offered by the First Amendment, serving as a clear condemnation of the Trump administration’s “complete neglect” of 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, who serves as the executive director of RSF USA.

"Implore the Trump administration to promptly release funds for VOA and reinstatement of its staff without additional delays," Weimers emphasized.

Edited by: John Silk

Author: Midhat Fatimah (AFP, AP, Reuters)

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