Fact Check: Federal judge ordered Trump to restore all USAGM employees after executive order
What We Know
On April 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Trump administration to restore employees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) who had been placed on leave or terminated following an executive order signed by Trump on March 14, 2025. This executive order aimed to eliminate certain non-statutory components and functions of USAGM, which oversees government-funded news outlets like Voice of America (VOA) (GovExec, Washington Post). The judge criticized the administration for lacking a "reasoned analysis" in determining which parts of USAGM were non-statutory, stating that there was "an absence of any analysis whatsoever" (GovExec).
The ruling allows over 1,200 federal employees and contractors, including about 1,000 journalists, to return to their positions, which had been halted due to the executive order (Washington Post). The judge also mandated the restoration of VOA programming to ensure it fulfills its statutory obligations (GovExec).
Analysis
The claim that a federal judge ordered Trump to restore all USAGM employees is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The preliminary injunction issued by Judge Lamberth is a legal order that directly addresses the actions taken by the Trump administration regarding USAGM. The judge's ruling was based on the finding that the administration acted arbitrarily and capriciously in its decision-making process, lacking the necessary legal justification for the layoffs (Washington Post).
The sources reporting on this event, including GovExec and the Washington Post, are reputable outlets known for their coverage of government and legal matters. They provide detailed accounts of the judge's findings and the implications of the ruling, which adds to their reliability. Additionally, the statements from affected employees and union representatives further corroborate the significance of the ruling and its impact on USAGM operations (GovExec, Washington Post).
While the Trump administration has expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, claiming issues of financial mismanagement within USAGM, these assertions do not undermine the legal basis of the judge's order (GovExec).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a federal judge ordered Trump to restore all USAGM employees is accurate. The preliminary injunction issued by Judge Lamberth mandates the restoration of employees and programming at USAGM, highlighting the administration's failure to provide a legally sound rationale for its actions. This ruling is a significant legal development regarding the operations of USAGM and the rights of its employees.
