The Trump administration will eliminate more than 500 positions at Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, acting CEO Kari Lake announced Friday.
The announcement comes just one day after a federal judge blocked Lake’s effort to remove VOA Director Michael Abramowitz.
Judge Blocks Abramowitz Firing
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, ruled that firing Abramowitz without approval from the International Broadcasting Advisory Board would be “plainly contrary to law.”
Lamberth gave the administration until September 15 to comply with his order to restore VOA operations, warning that this was the agency’s “one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial.”
Lake Defends Job Cuts
Lake said the reduction in force is being conducted at President Trump’s direction.
“We are conducting this at the President’s direction to help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service and save the American people more of their hard-earned money,” Lake said.
She added that she looks forward to “taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most.”
Pushback From Employees
Employees who sued to prevent VOA’s elimination condemned the move, calling Lake’s actions “abhorrent.”
“We are looking forward to her deposition to hear whether her plan to dismantle VOA was done with the rigorous review process that Congress requires,” they said in a statement.
About VOA
VOA was created during World War II and now broadcasts to an estimated 427 million people worldwide, particularly in countries where independent press access is restricted.
The 532 affected employees have 30 days before their pay and benefits end.
