A judge ordered the return of 1,042 Voice of America staff and broadcasts, calling former official Kari Lake’s cuts unlawful.

A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of 1,042 full-time Voice of America employees and the resumption of international broadcasts, ruling that former U.S. Agency for Global Media official Kari Lake’s efforts to dismantle the network were unlawful and arbitrary. The judge found Lake, who served without Senate confirmation, exceeded her authority and violated federal law by cutting staff, reducing language services from 49 to six, and replacing major news partners with far-right outlets. The decision restores VOA’s pre-cut operations and reinstates Director Michael Abramowitz, while declining to reinstate hundreds of contractors. The White House has nominated Sarah B. Rogers as the new agency head, with Deputy Secretary Michael Rigas serving as interim leader.