A U.S. federal court has ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to release April funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) from the budget approved by Congress.
Judge Royce Lamberth issued the temporary order on April 29, writing that it was Congress, not the agency, that decided these funds must be allocated to RFE/RL and that President Donald Trump had signed the appropriations bill into law.
“Today’s decision ensures that our journalists can continue holding dictators and despots accountable,” said RFE/RL President Stephen Capus. He added the organization hopes to receive the delayed funds quickly, as it was forced to place staff on furlough and reduce programming in regions critical to U.S. national security.
USAGM, an independent federal agency, oversees RFE/RL, Voice of America, and other U.S.-funded broadcasters that together reach over 361 million people weekly in nearly 50 languages.
The funding crisis began after President Trump signed an executive order on March 14 seeking to downsize seven agencies, including USAGM, “to the maximum extent allowed by law.” Shortly afterward, USAGM withheld funds intended for RFE/RL for fiscal year 2025, which ends September 30.
RFE/RL filed a legal challenge, calling the funding freeze illegal. On March 25, the same court granted an initial temporary restraining order (TRO), stating USAGM had acted in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner.
USAGM claimed the decision was reversed the next day but did not allocate April funding, forcing RFE/RL to request another TRO in April.
RFE/RL continues to seek a broader judicial ruling to ensure full release of its fiscal 2025 grant. Capus affirmed,
“We will continue pursuing the matter in court and look forward to working with USAGM to ensure we’re paid for the rest of the fiscal year.”
RFE/RL reaches nearly 50 million people in Belarus, China, Iran, Russia, and 23 countries across 27 languages, delivering independent, impartial news.
Media freedom groups called the attempt to dismantle USAGM “unacceptable”, arguing it emboldens authoritarian regimes.
In an April 1 letter, signed by PEN America, Reporters Without Borders, and others, they urged Congress to act immediately, noting that journalists tied to USAGM face imprisonment and persecution for reporting on politically sensitive topics.
The total FY2025 budget request for USAGM was $950 million, covering RFE/RL, VOA, Radio Free Asia, Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio Marti), Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), and the Open Technology Fund.
