The U.S. Agency for Global Media announced a reduction in force eliminating 532 full-time government positions. The announcement by acting CEO Kari Lake followed a federal judge's order blocking the removal of Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz and demanding proof of compliance with orders to restore VOA operations. The judge ordered Lake to sit for a deposition by Sept. 15 and said Abramowitz could not be removed without International Broadcasting Advisory Board approval. Agency employees who sued to block VOA's elimination say cuts will end pay and benefits within 30 days and criticized the move as an attack.
Lake posted a statement on social media that said her agency had initiated a reduction in force, or RIF, eliminating 532 jobs for full-time government employees. She said the agency will continue to fulfill its statutory mission after this RIF and will likely improve its ability to function. I look forward to taking additional steps in the coming months to improve the functioning of a very broken agency and make sure America's voice is heard abroad where it matters most, she wrote.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth had ruled separately that the Republican administration had failed to show how it was complying with his orders to restore VOA's operations. His order Monday gave the administration one final opportunity, short of a contempt trial to demonstrate its compliance. He ordered Lake to sit for a deposition by lawyers for agency employees by Sept. 15.
We find Lake's continued attacks on our agency abhorrent, they said in a statement. We are looking forward to her deposition to hear whether her plan to dismantle VOA
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