A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order halting efforts to close the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This move temporarily blocks the Trump administration’s plans, supported by Kari Lake and Victor Morales, to dismantle the agency. “We are proud to stand with journalists and media workers who sounded the alarm and fought back,” said NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss. “This ruling is a powerful rebuke to an administration that has shown contempt for press freedom and the rule of law.”
The decision is in response to a legal action initiated by The NewsGuild-CWA, various unions, press freedom organizations, and individual workers. They argue that the abrupt closure infringed upon the First Amendment, violated the separation of powers, and contravened multiple federal laws. The NewsGuild-CWA represents employees at Radio Free Asia.
The court’s order halts further reductions, allowing for a full hearing to consider reinstating workers. Workers at Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, and other outlets were either terminated or furloughed without pay due to these funding cuts.
The plaintiffs in the case include the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), The NewsGuild-CWA, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and seven individual workers. Patsy Widakuswara, the White House Bureau Chief for Voice of America, serves as the lead plaintiff.
The NewsGuild-CWA and its partners remain committed to seeking a permanent injunction against what they describe as an attempt to dismantle American newsrooms that reach 400 million people globally, including individuals residing in oppressive nations.
The NewsGuild-CWA advocates for journalists and media workers, defending workplace justice. It ranks as the largest journalists’ union in North America and is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America. The union has seen growth, with over 11,000 workers joining in the past eight years.
