WEBDESK: A U.S. federal appeals court has stopped the return of over 1,000 employees of Voice of America (VOA), leaving their future uncertain. These employees were previously placed on administrative leave during the Trump administration and were supposed to be reinstated after a court ruling earlier this year.
The ruling, which came from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, blocks the earlier decision that ordered their reinstatement. The majority of judges argued that the lower court may not have had the legal power to enforce that ruling.
In a 2-1 decision on Saturday, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay against a previous district court ruling that had ordered the Biden administration to restore Voice of America and its parent agency, the US. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), to their pre-executive order status.
Judges Neomi Rao and Gregory Katsas, both Trump appointees, argued the lower court likely lacked subject-matter jurisdiction.
Judge Nina Pillard, appointed by President Obama, dissented, warning the decision effectively “silences Voice of America for the foreseeable future.”
Voice of America is part of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees several government-funded international broadcasters. During former President Donald Trump’s term, an executive order led to major changes in leadership at USAGM, resulting in many VOA staff members being sidelined or let go.
District Judge Royce Lamberth temporarily reversed that action in late April, calling the order “arbitrary” and in violation of constitutional protections.
His ruling offered a brief window for VOA and affiliated staff to prepare for a phased return to work.
However, Saturday’s stay derailed that plan. DOJ had already informed attorneys that employees would resume broadcasting and office duties starting next week. That has now been paused.
Kari Lake, senior adviser at USAGM, called the appeals ruling a “huge victory” for Trump and executive authority.
