US court halts order to reinstate Voice of America staff

A federal appeals court on Saturday temporarily blocked a lower court ruling that had ordered the Trump administration to reinstate more than 1,000 employees and contractors at Voice of America (VOA), halting efforts to resume full operations at the U.S.-funded international broadcaster.

The stay comes after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, in an April 22 decision, instructed the administration to “take all necessary steps” to restore staff positions and restart radio, TV, and online news services, as well as certain grant programs.

The appellate court’s decision means that, for now, VOA’s scaled-back operations will remain in place while the legal battle continues.

The administration had appealed the ruling, arguing that staffing and programming decisions fall under executive authority.

The case is seen as a key test of government control over federally funded media, with implications for press independence and the rights of contract workers.

A full hearing on the appeal is expected in the coming weeks.