Overview
- A three-judge D.C. Circuit panel, which acted Tuesday, stayed a lower court’s return-to-work mandate and kept more than 1,000 Voice of America employees on administrative leave.
- The pause halts Judge Royce Lamberth’s March 17 directive to restore operations after he ruled Kari Lake lacked lawful authority to issue prior agency orders.
- Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson, Robert Wilkins and Gregory Katsas are hearing the case in an appeal that could take months.
- The ruling also covers other U.S. Agency for Global Media networks, creating a situation where staff remain paid but are directed not to report to work.
- USAGM said it was encouraged by the decision and pledged to continue advancing President Trump’s agenda during the legal process, while VOA historically served global audiences in 49 languages.