WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting more than 500 jobs at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA).

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington ruled this week that the agency cannot proceed with its planned reduction in force, which would eliminate 532 full-time government positions—nearly all of its remaining staff. Acting CEO Kari Lake had announced in August that the cuts would take effect October 1.

The ruling preserves the status quo until Lamberth decides on a broader motion to stop the layoffs. He previously ordered the administration to restore VOA programming to meet its statutory mandate as a "reliable and authoritative source of news." He blocked attempts to remove VOA Director Michael Abramowitz.

In his latest decision, Lamberth sharply criticized the administration, saying its moves suggested "concerning disrespect" for the court. He noted that USAGM initiated the layoffs just hours after government lawyers downplayed the possibility of cuts during a recent hearing. Although he stopped short of holding officials in contempt, he warned their conduct was "egregious."

Employees who sued to halt the layoffs argued that dismantling VOA would undermine the court's earlier injunction. Government lawyers countered that blocking the cuts would improperly interfere with agency operations.

VOA, founded during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, is the largest of several U.S.-funded broadcasters under USAGM, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Radio Martí. Together they reach an estimated 427 million people worldwide.

Congress allocated US$875 million to USAGM for fiscal 2025, with $260 million earmarked for VOA. In March, Trump signed an executive order directing the agency to reduce its operations to the minimum required by law. The next day, VOA went silent for the first time in its 83-year history, and nearly all full-time employees were placed on administrative leave.

Announcing the job cuts on social media, Lake said the agency would still meet its mission and "likely improve its ability to function." Plaintiffs' attorney Georgina Yeomans disagreed, telling the court that the planned cuts would lock in deficient programming levels and that it remains unclear who at the agency is making key decisions.

Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, will now weigh whether to permanently block the layoffs as the legal fight continues.