In a landmark decision, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate all positions and funding for the Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-backed news organizations, declaring that the efforts to dismantle them were illegal and unconstitutional.

This ruling comes after the shocking suspension of over 1,300 VOA employees, including around 1,000 journalists, following President Trump’s directive. The White House had labeled the broadcaster as "anti-Trump" and "radical"—accusations that overshadowed the agency’s commitment to providing unbiased news.

Founded during World War II to counter Nazi propaganda, VOA has grown into a vital global media outlet, serving millions with factual reporting. Judge Royce Lamberth highlighted the severity of the cuts, noting that "for the first time in its 80-year history, VOA is not reporting the news."

The judge condemned the administration’s actions for causing significant harm to employees, contractors, journalists, and audiences worldwide, ordering the restoration of staff to their previous positions, not only at VOA but also for Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.

In his ruling, Lamberth found that the administration likely breached the International Broadcasting Act and overstepped Congress's authority to allocate funding.

Patsy Widakuswara, the VOA White House bureau chief and one of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, voiced her gratitude for the ruling but acknowledged the battle isn’t over, as an appeal from the government is expected. "We are determined to continue our fight against what we believe to be the administration’s unlawful attempt to silence VOA," she declared.

Trump has long been critical of VOA, using it as a target in his wider onslaught against the media, often accusing mainstream outlets of bias. Curiously, after assuming office, he appointed Kari Lake—an ally known for perpetuating false claims about the 2020 election—to lead VOA.

In March, Trump had instructed the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to minimize operations to the "maximum extent consistent with applicable law," a decision which prompted journalists, advocacy groups, and unions to file a lawsuit against him, contending his directive was unlawful.

Judge Lamberth bluntly stated that the Trump administration lacked the authority to shut down VOA, which operates under a congressional mandate to provide credible news worldwide. "It's hard to fathom a more blatant display of arbitrary actions than what has occurred here," he stated.

Responses from USAGM and the White House were not available at the time of reporting.