Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is continuing legal action against the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to secure the release of congressionally appropriated funding, it said in a statement on March 28.
USAGM oversees RFE/RL, Voice of America (VOA), and other US international media.
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The USAGM claimed to terminate RFE/RL’s grant on March 15, hours after an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump called for the reduction of seven agencies – including the USAGM – to “the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”
On March 26, USAGM wrote to RFE/RL saying that it was reversing the announcement but that this was “without prejudice to USAGM’s authority to terminate the grant,” as reported by Kyiv Post on Wednesday.
RFE/RL’s lawsuit maintains that USAGM does not have this authority, since the grant was awarded by an act of Congress.
A statement released by RFE/RL on March 27 said “RFE/RL awaits official confirmation from USAGM that grant funding will resume.”
The new statement on March 28 made it clear that this had not yet happened. “We look forward to receiving the funds that Congress has appropriated to us through the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Until then, we will pursue all necessary legal remedies to ensure that Congressional intent is respected,” it said.
The statement also said RFE/RL’s commitment to its audiences and congressionally mandated mission “remains steadfast.”
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On March 25, a US court granted RFE/RL’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO), ruling that USAGM had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” in terminating RFE/RL’s grant.
The grant’s termination was communicated in a letter signed by Kari Lake, who listed her title as “Senior Advisor to the (USAGM) Acting CEO with Authorities Delegated by Acting CEO.”
After writing to RFE/RL on March 26, Lake continued to criticize RFE/RL and other USAGM entities.