A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to immediately reinstate more than 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees who were placed on administrative leave. The ruling blocks a cost-cutting furlough plan proposed by the agency's leadership.
U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon issued a temporary restraining order on March 17, 2026, stating the mass furloughs likely violated federal personnel laws and the agency's own procedures. The judge found the USAGM failed to demonstrate the "extreme circumstances" required for such an action and ordered all affected employees back to work by Monday, March 23.
The dispute stems from a budget shortfall and a restructuring plan announced by USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. The agency had argued the furloughs of 1,042 full-time VOA staff were a necessary financial measure. The judge's order is a significant legal setback for the agency's management.
Voice of America, a federally funded international broadcaster, has faced previous political and budgetary pressures. The ruling emphasizes procedural protections for federal employees and temporarily halts the agency's workforce reduction effort pending further litigation.
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