The Radio Free Europe funding saga has taken a surprising turn in Washington. Kari Lake, a key Trump ally, has withdrawn the controversial termination of grants for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), bringing an unexpected resolution to the high-profile legal battle.
At a glance:
• Kari Lake and the U.S. Agency for Global Media have rescinded the termination of RFE/RL’s grant, effectively ending the broadcaster’s lawsuit
• A federal judge had previously blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to cut funding, calling the termination unjustified
• Government attorneys have approved $7.4 million in grant funding for immediate disbursement to RFE/RL
• The agency still retains authority to terminate the grant in the future if deemed appropriate under law
• RFE/RL reaches nearly 50 million people across 23 countries, providing news services that counter foreign propaganda
Trump Administration Strategically Resolves Broadcasting Dispute
The Trump administration has tactically withdrawn its termination of funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), effectively ending a contentious legal battle while preserving future options. This strategic move by Kari Lake, Senior Advisor to President Trump and Head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s initial attempt to cut off federal funds.
U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth had previously granted a temporary restraining order protecting RFE/RL’s funding, stating firmly that the agency could not arbitrarily shut down the broadcaster. Government attorneys have now disclosed that $7.4 million in grant funding has been approved for immediate disbursement to the international broadcaster.
Judicial Intervention Forces Strategic Retreat
Judge Lamberth’s ruling is a significant setback for the administration’s media policy, with the court firmly rejecting the explanation given for the funding termination. “The leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down — even if the President has told them to do so,” Lamberth wrote, adding that “the continued operation of RFE/RL is in the public interest.”
The Justice Department, representing the administration, acknowledged in court filings that RFE/RL “has secured the primary relief — the withdrawal of the termination of its grant agreement — that it requested in the complaint.” However, the agency made clear that this withdrawal does not prevent future action, and that it maintains its authority to terminate the grant if deemed appropriate under law.
Broader Battle Over U.S. Global Media Continues
Stephen Capus, RFE/RL’s President and CEO, was cautiously optimistic about the decision, calling it an “encouraging sign” that operations could “continue, as Congress intended.” The broadcaster says it serves a critical national security function by reaching nearly 50 million people weekly across 23 countries, often providing independent news in regions dominated by state propaganda.
While RFE/RL has secured its immediate future, other USAGM-funded entities remain in jeopardy. Radio Free Asia has filed a new lawsuit claiming its funding has been cut, with its president Bay Fang asserting, “RFA remains committed to fulfilling its Congressional mandate of providing a voice that counters the propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party and other authoritarian regimes in Asia.”
