Acting CEO Kari Lake announced the reduction in force (RIF) late Friday, just a day after a federal judge blocked her attempt to remove VOA Director Michael Abramowitz. The decision comes amidst a broader legal battle regarding the administration’s management of the agency.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan, ruled that Abramowitz could not be dismissed without the approval of a majority of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. He emphasized that such a firing would be “plainly contrary to law.”
Earlier in the week, Judge Lamberth had warned the administration that it had “one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial,” to prove compliance with his orders to restore VOA’s functioning. He also directed Lake to sit for a deposition by agency employees’ lawyers no later than September 15.
Despite the legal pressure, Lake proceeded with the layoffs, stating on social media that the agency was eliminating 532 full-time government jobs. She claimed the move would “likely improve” the agency’s performance and reiterated her commitment to “make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most.”
However, a group of USAGM employees opposing the move condemned the decision:
“We find Lake’s continued attacks on our agency 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. So far we have not seen any evidence of that,” they said in a statement.
In June, over 600 employees received layoff notices. Abramowitz and nearly the entire VOA staff were placed on administrative leave, with Abramowitz initially told he would be terminated effective August 31.
In a Thursday court filing, the administration revealed its intention to send RIF notices to 486 VOA employees and 46 other agency personnel, while retaining 158 USAGM employees and 108 VOA staff members.
According to the filing: USAGM currently has 137 active employees and 62 on administrative leave. VOA has 86 active employees and 512 on administrative leave.
USAGM also oversees Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Martí, which broadcasts Spanish-language news into Cuba. These outlets—dating back to the Cold War—are tasked with promoting U.S. influence and countering authoritarian regimes, collectively reaching an estimated 427 million people globally.
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