Multiple positions to be eliminated at Voice of America and its parent organization

The acting CEO of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), Kari Lake, has faced a setback in her plans to restructure Voice of America (VoA) and other US-funded international broadcasting networks. A federal judge has issued an order preventing Lake from firing the VoA director, Michael Abramowitz, and has scheduled a deposition for Lake on September 15.

Judge Royce Lamberth, of the United States District Court, ruled earlier this week that the Trump administration had yet to show compliance with orders to restore VoA's operations. The judge's order gives the administration a "one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial" to adhere to these orders.

Lake's announcement of job cuts for VoA comes despite the federal judge's orders. The Trump administration's targeting of media has been a topic of controversy, with the latest set of layoffs at VoA affecting 532 employees. The administration states that these layoffs are intended to reduce federal bureaucracy, improve agency services, and save money for the American people.

The USAGM, which oversees VoA, also manages five other entities: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Radio Marti. The agency has initiated a reduction in force (RIF) of a large number of its full-time federal employees.

A group of agency employees who have sued to block VOA's elimination condemned Lake's latest move. They look forward to Lake's deposition to hear whether her plans to dismantle VoA were done with the required congressional review process.

The Trump administration's actions towards VoA and other public broadcasters have raised concerns among Europeans. The networks, established during the Cold War, are part of a network of US government-funded organizations aimed at extending the country's influence and combating authoritarianism.

In a statement on the X social media platform, Lake wrote that she looks forward to taking additional steps to improve the functioning of the USAGM and ensure America's voice is heard abroad. However, the federal judge's order to halt Lake's actions suggests that these steps may need to align with the law and the orders of the court.

Multiple positions to be eliminated at Voice of America and its parent organization