Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Defunding of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting President Donald Trump’s attempts to defund Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a move viewed as unconstitutional by the broadcaster. The ruling comes amid ongoing litigation regarding the future of U.S.-government-funded international media organizations.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth determined that RFE/RL has a strong likelihood of success in challenging the Trump administration’s order to cease federal funding, which the network argued would violate First Amendment rights and congressional appropriations. The judge’s decision, delivered on March 26, 2025, is seen as a crucial moment for media freedom and the role of international broadcasting in the current political climate.

“The leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down — even if the President has told them to do so,” Lamberth stated in his ruling. “The Court concludes, in keeping with Congress’s longstanding determination, that the continued operation of RFE/RL is in the public interest.”

RFE/RL, established in 1950, serves audiences in various languages across 23 countries, delivering news to an estimated 47 million people weekly. The network’s mission is to provide fair journalism in regions where media independence is often stifled by authoritarian regimes, including Iran and Russia.

Following Trump’s announcement to defund RFE/RL, the network filed a lawsuit asserting that the cessation of funds was unlawful under the Constitution, which grants Congress powers over federal spending. RFE/RL Chief Executive Steven Capus hailed the judge’s order, emphasizing the importance of the network’s work in maintaining U.S. values abroad.

“This ruling further sends a strong message to our journalists around the world: Their mission as designed by Congress is a worthy and valuable one and should continue,” Capus said in a statement.

As the legal battle unfolds, the judge has also cast a shadow on the future of other U.S.-funded international broadcasters under the governance of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). With Trump’s administration pushing to cut operational funding for agencies like RFE/RL, the ramifications could extend to various platforms, including Voice of America, which faces similar threats to its funding and independence.

“The long-term consequences of silencing VOA will reverberate globally, eroding the influence and moral authority of the United States,” VOA’s sidelined Chief National Correspondent Steve Herman warned during a press conference.

The situation has intensified as several Voice of America journalists have already initiated legal action claiming that administrative leave and program terminations violate protections meant to shield the network from political interference.

“Congress created VOA; required it to fulfill certain statutory objectives, including producing and broadcasting journalism according to high professional standards,” said Michael Abramowitz, VOA’s director, indicating that legal measures are necessary to prevent the dismantling of the organization. “We seek to preserve the agency so VOA can carry out its important mission with the available resources.”

Lamberth’s ruling represents a significant victory for advocates of press freedom and underscores the judicial system’s role in curtailing potential executive overreach concerning media and reporting entities funded by American taxpayers.

As organizations like Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks prepare to litigate against similar funding cuts, the broader implications of the judge’s decision remain to be seen.