The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and other international broadcasters, is cutting more than 500 jobs. This decision comes amid ongoing legal challenges regarding the future of these news outlets. Kari Lake, the acting CEO of the agency, announced the job cuts late Friday. This announcement followed a federal judge's ruling that blocked her from removing Michael Abramowitz as the director of VOA.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the Trump administration had not demonstrated compliance with his previous orders to restore VOA's operations. He provided the administration with a final chance to comply before a potential contempt trial. Additionally, he ordered Lake to participate in a deposition by agency employees' lawyers by September 15.

On Thursday, Lamberth stated that Abramowitz could not be dismissed without the approval of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. He emphasized that firing Abramowitz would be "plainly contrary to law."

In her statement on social media, Lake confirmed the initiation of a reduction in force (RIF), which will eliminate 532 full-time government positions. She expressed confidence that the agency would continue to fulfill its mission and potentially improve its operations following the cuts. "I look forward to taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America’s voice is heard abroad where it matters most," she wrote.

A group of agency employees who have filed a lawsuit to block the cuts expressed their concerns. They stated that Lake's actions would leave their colleagues with only 30 days until their pay and benefits would cease. "We find Lake’s continued attacks on our agency abhorrent," they said in a statement. They are eager to hear her deposition regarding whether her plan to dismantle VOA adhered to the rigorous review process mandated by Congress, noting that they have yet to see any evidence of compliance.

In June, layoff notices were issued to over 600 employees of the agency. Abramowitz was placed on administrative leave, along with nearly the entire VOA staff, and was informed of his termination effective August 31.

The administration's court filing indicated plans to send RIF notices to 486 VOA employees and 46 others within the agency, while retaining 158 agency employees and 108 from VOA. The filing also revealed that the global media agency had 137 active employees and 62 on administrative leave, while VOA had 86 active employees and 512 on administrative leave.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media also oversees several other entities, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Radio Marti, which provides Spanish-language news to Cuba. These networks, which collectively reach an estimated 427 million people, were established during the Cold War to extend U.S. influence and counter authoritarian regimes.