Kari Lake Testimony: Voice of America Hearing – Live Updates
Federal judge Royce Lamberth scrutinizes the Voice of America’s role amid substantial layoffs, demanding answers about the government’s compliance with preservation orders. Kari Lake is slated to testify before a House Foreign Affairs hearing concerning the U.S. Agency for Global Media, adding another layer of insight. over 600 VOA employees received layoff notices, sparking legal battles questioning the agency’s future.William Schultz,representing VOA journalists,argues the governance failed to restore mandated programming. The court now seeks a writen update from the administration, setting the stage for what’s next. This developing story, covered by News Directory 3, examines crucial developments in global media. Discover what’s next and how this ongoing legal challenge will reshape international news.
Judge Questions Voice of America’s Role Amid Layoffs
Updated June 25, 2025
WASHINGTON – A federal judge is demanding more facts regarding teh Voice of America’s role from the Justice Department, questioning the government’s compliance with an order to prevent the dismantling of the 83-year-old international news institution. U.S.District Judge royce Lamberth expressed skepticism Monday after layoff notices were sent to more than 600 employees at VOA adn the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Brenda Gonzalez Horowitz, a government lawyer, maintained the agency acted “in good faith” regarding the April 22 order. Lamberth, though, disagreed.
william Schultz, representing VOA journalists, argued the administration failed to restore programming as mandated by Congress, which allocated $262 million for VOA in fiscal year 2025. He noted that most of the staff has been on paid administrative leave for over three months.
the judge has given the administration until friday to provide a written update on VOA operations. Plaintiffs also requested Lamberth to mandate a plan ensuring VOA operates in accordance with the preliminary injunction. He did not instantly rule on the request.
Kari Lake, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump, is scheduled to testify before a House Foreign Affairs hearing regarding the U.S. Agency for Global Media at 10 a.m. EDT.
Lake stated that approximately 1,400 employees, or 85% of the workforce, have lost their jobs since March as part of an effort to dismantle what she called a “bloated, unaccountable bureaucracy.”
”For decades, American taxpayers have been forced to bankroll an agency that’s been riddled with dysfunction, bias and waste,” Lake said. “That ends now.”
among those receiving layoff notices were employees of VOA’s Persian-language service, who had recently returned from administrative leave to broadcast reports to Iran following an attack by Israel.
Georgina Yeomans, another attorney for the plaintiffs, said the administration’s plans for the U.S. Agency for Global Media have been difficult to ascertain.
What’s next
The court awaits the administration’s written update on Friday, which will likely influence the next steps in the legal battle over the Voice of America’s future and its role in global media.