Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Shutdown of RFE/RL

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to shut down Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), citing the administration's actions as 'arbitrary and capricious.' U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued a restraining order, emphasizing that RFE/RL's operations are in the public interest and aligned with congressional intent to promote free communication globally. The administration had attempted to cut off funding as part of an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees international broadcasters like RFE/RL and Voice of America. Despite the administration's claim that the broadcaster 'no longer effectuates agency priorities,' Lamberth ruled that the shutdown order lacked adequate justification. The court's decision also highlighted Congress’s exclusive power over federal funding, reinforcing that Trump's directive violated constitutional and federal law. This ruling serves as a temporary reprieve but more legal proceedings are expected to follow.