D.C. Circuit affirms injunction after administration tried to fire VOA director
Where it stands
D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed the permanent injunction barring Abramowitz's removal without board approval; the attempted removal was contrary to law, while broader VOA litigation remains separate.
Sources reviewed: Nov 11, 2026 · 10:58 AM EST
A unanimous D.C. Circuit panel affirmed a permanent injunction preventing Trump administration officials from removing Voice of America director Michael Abramowitz without approval from the International Broadcasting Advisory Board. The court held that agency leaders ignored the governing statute when they attempted to remove him after he refused reassignment.
It rejected the administration's argument that the dispute belonged before the Merit Systems Protection Board, upheld the board-removal structure under Article II and held that injunctive relief was available. The administration conceded that its attempted removal violated the statute and argued instead that the statute was unconstitutional.
The decision affirms the injunction in this appeal; it is not merely a motion or temporary order.
The response.
The Justice Department argued that Abramowitz's claim should have gone through the federal civil-service system, that the board-approval requirement violated Article II and that the district court lacked authority to enjoin the removal. The panel rejected all three arguments. Abramowitz said he was gratified and wanted to return to VOA's work. No new post-decision statement from the White House, Justice Department or U.S. Agency for Global Media was identified during the November 11 review. The ruling does not itself restore every VOA employee or resolve the separate litigation over the administration's broader dismantling of the broadcaster. The administration may seek further review, but no rehearing, stay or Supreme Court filing was identified at the review time.
Dates & scope
Source publication: Nov 10, 2026 · 11:12 AM EST · Source update: 2026-11-11
Event or conduct: 2026-11-10.
Full chronology and review notes
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decided Michael Abramowitz v. Kari Lake on November 10, 2026, unanimously affirming the district court's August 28, 2025, permanent injunction. Bloomberg Law published its report at 11:12 a.m. EST November 10. The Ledger reviewed the complete opinion, the court's current opinion index and available responses at 10:58 a.m. EST November 11. No petition for rehearing, stay or Supreme Court filing was identified during that review.
This is a dated report. The source-review time records when the linked sources were checked; it is not a live update.
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Open the original record.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: Michael Abramowitz v. Kari Lake, No. 25-5314 ↗
Primary November 10 unanimous opinion affirming the permanent injunction and resolving the administration's statutory, jurisdictional, constitutional and remedial arguments
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit: Opinions issued in November 2026 ↗
Primary court index listing No. 25-5314 as decided November 10, 2026
- Bloomberg Law: Trump Official Can't Fire Voice of America Head, US Court Says ↗
November 10 report published at 11:12 a.m. EST on the ruling, litigation history and parties' positions
- Michael Abramowitz: Statement on the D.C. Circuit ruling ↗
November 10 statement from the plaintiff welcoming the decision and urging restoration of Voice of America operations
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