Trump admin wins court battle over VOA reforms; Kari Lake calls it ‘constitutional victory’

The Trump administration scored a major legal victory recently when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit granted a stay on a lower court’s order that had mandated the reinstatement of over 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees and the resumption of full broadcasting operations. This decision allows the administration to move forward with its efforts to restructure US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and its affiliated broadcasters.

Kari Lake, a senior advisor to the Trump administration, hailed the decision as a huge victory for President Trump and his Article II powers granted in the United States Constitution. She emphasized that this ruling allows the administration to pursue its goal of modernizing and making the government more efficient while cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.

The appeals court’s ruling, which was decided by a 2-1 majority, underscored the judiciary’s deference to executive authority in matters concerning federal employment and contractual decisions. The court noted that the district court likely overstepped its jurisdiction by interfering with the administration’s personnel actions and funding decisions, particularly regarding grant agreements with non-federal entities like Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

This ruling comes in the wake of President Trump’s executive order in March that aimed to dismantle USAGM operations. The order led to the administrative leave of approximately 1,300 VOA employees and the termination of numerous contracts, effectively halting the broadcaster’s activities for the first time in its 83-year history.

Despite legal challenges from VOA employees, the Trump administration remained steadfast in its efforts to streamline operations at the broadcaster. The administration’s decision to terminate contracts and positions at VOA was upheld by the D.C. Circuit, signaling a victory for the administration’s agenda.

As VOA employees reportedly had access restored to their computers after the court’s ruling, it is clear that the administration is moving forward with its plans to bring VOA into the 21st century. The court’s decision can be viewed here for further details.

In conclusion, the Trump administration’s legal victory in the D.C. Circuit represents a significant step towards achieving its goals of restructuring USAGM and modernizing VOA. This ruling reaffirms the administration’s commitment to efficiency and accountability in government operations.