🔗 Share this article American Judge Mandates Trump Government to Resume Operations at VOA. Media tools in a studio. (Photo Credit: Stock Image) An federal court has declared that the effective closure of the VOA last year was unlawful and has commanded the return of hundreds of its reporters. Judicial Mandate Sets One-Week Deadline District Court Judge Royce Lamberth has granted the government one week to get the VOA broadcasting again. Wartime Origins and Recent Shutdown The VOA was originally established during World War Two to counter Nazi propaganda. Just weeks after returning to office as president, Donald Trump signed an presidential directive to shut down the broadcaster, which his officials accused of political bias. The order also targeted outlets such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, calling for them to be “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law”. Management Changes and Widespread Firings President Trump named Kari Lake to head the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent company that manages and finances the VOA and related networks. Lake then fire more than 85% of the agency's employees—over 1,000 staff at VOA by itself—with only a small number of employees remaining. Most of the affected staff have been on paid administrative leave since last year. This even applied to Persian Service reporters who were temporarily|called back to work after Israel attacked Iran last June. Judge’s Rationale and Decision Last week, Judge Lamberth found that Lake lacked the legal power to suspend the operations of the USAGM workforce, as she had not been approved by the US Senate. In Tuesday's ruling, the judge described the decision to sack the journalists as unreasonable and impulsive, adding that the government had not taken into account legislation that determine what languages and regions the VOA must serve. “The government have provided nothing approaching a reasonable basis for their decision,” Lamberth stated in his opinion. Reporters’ Lawsuit and Reaction Three VOA journalists had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. One of them, Patsy Widakuswara, expressed being deeply grateful for the judge's decision. “We hope the American people will continue to support our mission to produce journalism, not propaganda,” she said to reporters. Unclear Future and Wider Implications It is not clear if Lake's nominated successor, Sarah Rogers—whose appointment needs Senate confirmation—will appeal. Prior to its shutdown, the VOA transmitted TV, radio, and digital content in nearly 50 languages. Trump's criticisms of the VOA are part of his broader attacks against the US media, which research indicates American news consumers view as deeply divided.