Voice of America Employees Sue Trump Administration Over Closure

Employees and journalists from Voice of America (VOA), along with various labor unions, have initiated legal action against the Trump administration in New York. The lawsuit claims that the planned closure of government-funded news agencies violates the constitutional rights of the employees to journalistic freedom. The president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which is part of the lawsuit, stated that VOA was established to disseminate the truth and counter propaganda from lawless authoritarian regimes. Consequently, the lawsuit seeks a judicial order to reverse the decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which not only oversees VOA but also funds other outlets such as Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia.

In related developments, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to unveil a proposal aimed at modernizing the outdated and understaffed air traffic control system. Duffy has informed President Trump of the plan, which aims to establish a state-of-the-art air traffic management system. Earlier this month, he indicated plans to request tens of billions of dollars from Congress for a multi-year overhaul of air traffic control and an increase in personnel due to recent incidents raising safety concerns.

Additionally, President Trump has signed an order aimed at preventing abuses within the legal system and federal courts. The memorandum directs the Attorney General to impose penalties on attorneys and law firms engaging in frivolous or harassing lawsuits against the United States or in matters before executive departments and agencies.

Trump has also revoked security clearances for former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to a White House memorandum. This move follows the revocation of security clearance for former President Joe Biden, who had competed against Clinton in the 2016 elections and Harris in the recent presidential race.

Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security has shut down three divisions that focused on civil rights and immigration issues, citing them as impediments to enforcing immigration laws. A spokesperson for the department stated that these divisions created bureaucratic barriers that undermined the mission of immigration enforcement agencies. These divisions, employing around 300 staff members, handled thousands of complaints regarding immigration systems, detention conditions, and delays in processing citizenship applications, with their reports submitted to congressional committees.

Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee expressed concern that the Trump administration is attempting to dismantle oversight mechanisms across government agencies to implement its deportation policy. This has raised fears that individuals may be deported with little or no legal representation. A former senior official criticized the abrupt closures, calling it a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the well-being of those affected by government overreach.

In another significant move, the U.S. government has announced the termination of protected status for 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, with the deadline for this program set for April 24. This program was initially established under President Biden, Trump's predecessor, and is expected to trigger expedited deportation processes.

In international news, former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner has been barred from entering the U.S. due to allegations of corruption during her time in office. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Kirchner and her former planning minister, Julio De Vido, have been implicated in corruption related to public construction contracts, leading to the travel ban.

Meanwhile, U.S. authorities have restricted direct access for Canadians to a library located on the border between Quebec and Vermont, citing concerns over drug trafficking and smuggling. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, located in Derby Line, has previously allowed Canadian citizens to enter freely but will now require formal border crossings.

Lastly, the U.S. has denied the claims of the Venezuelan government regarding the deportation of individuals to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, asserting that none of those deported are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, known for criminal activities across Latin America.