Radio Free Asia (RFA) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. administration to restore funding that was suddenly frozen earlier this month. RFA provides uncensored news to millions in Asia, where authoritarian regimes often suppress free speech.
The lawsuit claims that cutting RFA’s funding violates federal laws, including the U.S. Constitution, because Congress has the exclusive power to control federal spending. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP and Democracy Forward on behalf of RFA.
RFA President Bay Fang described the funding termination as “unlawful.” She emphasized that RFA remains committed to countering propaganda from the Chinese Communist Party and other authoritarian regimes in Asia. Fang expressed confidence in winning the lawsuit, saying, “They may be celebrating RFA’s defunding right now, but we are confident that we shall prevail.”
The lawsuit names several defendants, including Victor Morales, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM); Kari Lake, senior advisor to Morales; Russell Vought, director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget; and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
The funding freeze was announced on March 15, shortly after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to reduce non-statutory components of USAGM. This move forced RFA to furlough most of its Washington-based staff.
RFA was established by Congress in 1996 and has enjoyed bipartisan support. It broadcasts news in nine languages to countries like North Korea, China, Myanmar, and Vietnam, providing vital information to millions every week.
The lawsuit highlights RFA’s groundbreaking reporting on issues such as human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China’s COVID-19 cover-up, and the civil war in Myanmar. It argues that USAGM’s actions have effectively shut down RFA’s operations, putting its journalists at greater risk of imprisonment and harm.
RFA has furloughed over 75% of its U.S. staff and suspended contracts for most of its freelance journalists. The organization seeks a temporary restraining order to prevent USAGM from withholding congressionally appropriated funds and to halt the termination of its grant. RFA claims it is owed nearly $35 million in funds approved by Congress.
This lawsuit is part of a broader legal battle involving U.S.-funded news organizations like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which have also faced funding cuts under the Trump administration.
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