The Washington Post published on 17 March 2026 an article titled "Judge Reinstates 1,000 Voice of America Employees, Deems Wind-down Illegal" by Scott Nover.
Following a full year on paid administrative leave as a result of the Trump administration's effort to dismantle the Voice of America (VOA) and its parent organization, the Agency for Global Media (USAGM), a federal judge ruled the action unlawful and ordered USAGM to return more than 1,000 employees to work by March 23 to resume international broadcasting. Under Kari Lake, USAGM retained only 68 positions.
Comment: The Trump administration may appeal the decision. It is also not clear how many of the employees are still available, although most of them likely remained with VOA as they were being paid but not allowed to work. This is a major victory for telling America's story abroad.