Washington Court Ruling on Trump’s Decision to Close Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

The federal district court in Washington has granted the lawsuit filed by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty against the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) on Tuesday.

The court determined that until the case is adjudicated, the agency must refrain from actions that could lead to the closure of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. These measures include a decision announced by USAGM senior advisor Kerry Lake on March 15 to terminate the grant agreement under which Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty receives funding from Congress through USAGM for its operations.

Judge Royce Lambert ruled in a 10-page decision that enforcement of the ruling would cause “irreparable harm” to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “The leadership of USAGM cannot force Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to cease operations with a single statement and almost no justification, even if the president has ordered this,” the judge wrote.