The Daily Fuckup

A federal judge on April 29, 2025, ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media to release Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s April grant payment after the broadcaster said the money had not been sent. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, covers one month of the annual appropriation Congress approved for fiscal 2025. ([rferl.org](https://www.rferl.org/a/court-orders-usagm-release-congress-funds-radio-free-europe/33400421.html))

RFE/RL said the ruling lets its journalists keep working while the dispute continues. The broadcaster has also been pressing for the rest of its fiscal 2025 funding, and its own reporting says the case is still aimed at securing the remaining grant money through the end of the budget year. ([rferl.org](https://www.rferl.org/a/court-orders-usagm-release-congress-funds-radio-free-europe/33400421.html))

The case grew out of an effort by the Trump administration to cut off the broadcaster’s congressionally approved support. Lamberth’s April 29 order did not end that fight or settle the full merits of the lawsuit. It required release of the April installment while the broader funding dispute moved ahead. ([rferl.org](https://www.rferl.org/a/court-orders-usagm-release-congress-funds-radio-free-europe/33400421.html))

RFE/RL is one of the U.S.-funded broadcasters overseen by USAGM, which supplies news in markets where independent reporting faces heavy pressure. The organization said the delayed payment had already forced furloughs and programming cuts, making the court order an immediate, but partial, win. ([rferl.org](https://www.rferl.org/a/court-orders-usagm-release-congress-funds-radio-free-europe/33400421.html))