Republican-Nominated Judge Blocks Trump Admin, Kari Lake in New Order

Source: Newsweek

Sep 29, 2025 at 10:12 PM EDT


A longtime federal judge in Washington, D.C., has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's plan to eliminate the jobs of more than 500 people at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), a government-funded news network that oversees Voice of America (VOA). Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Monday night for comment.

Why It Matters

A federal judge's decision to halt the Trump administration and Kari Lake's plan to cut over 500 jobs marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle over the independence and future of U.S.-funded media.

The ruling underscores the legal protections established to prevent political interference in American global broadcasting and highlights significant implications for U.S. public diplomacy and freedom of the press abroad.

What To Know

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a nominee of former President Ronald Reagan, issued a temporary suspension of a planned reduction in force (RIF) that would have eliminated 532 full-time government positions at the agency.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/republican-nominated-judge-blocks-trump-admin-kari-lake-in-new-order-10801633