THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 67 AFSA NEWS Court Rules VOA Firings Unlawful A federal court ruling has delivered a major victory for Voice of America (VOA) journalists and the unions representing them, including AFSA. On March 7, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake was unlawfully appointed as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, invalidating actions taken during her tenure, including the attempted reductions in force that would have eliminated hundreds of VOA positions. AFSA joined a coalition of unions, journalists, and press freedom organizations in challenging the legality of the appointment and the resulting personnel actions. The court’s decision confirms that those actions lacked legal authority and protects VOA employees whose jobs were targeted. AFSA President John Dinkelman said: “Voice of America exists to tell the truth to the world—and in doing so, it represents one of America’s most important sources of soft power. That mission depends on a professional, protected workforce and respect for the law. Judge Lamberth’s decision makes clear that neither can simply be cast aside.” n Webinar MSPB Appeals Process Demystified AFSA recently hosted a virtual information session to help members better understand how to navigate appeals before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The February 4 webinar featured former MSPB Vice Chairman Ray Limon and retired Administrative Judge Rich Vitaris, who walked participants through the steps involved in filing and pursuing an appeal. Vitaris explained what employees can expect after filing an MSPB appeal, including receipt of an acknowledgment order with important deadlines, participation in the discovery process, and preparation of prehearing submissions that identify witnesses and documents. He emphasized the importance of carefully following MSPB procedures and meeting deadlines, noting that judges rely heavily on these submissions to determine what issues will be considered during a hearing. The speakers also discussed what typically happens at an MSPB hearing, how employees representing themselves can prepare to question witnesses and present evidence, and the potential outcomes of a case. In some instances, they explained, a judge may reverse a personnel action outright, while in others the agency may be required to redo the process. The session concluded with a Q&A discussion covering topics such as case consolidation, potential delays due to the high volume of appeals, and options for mediation or settlement. AFSA plans to continue offering informational sessions and resources to support members navigating the MSPB appeals process. A recording of the event is available at https://afsa.org/ afsa-videos. n Washington College of Law. She is a proud Detroiter and Wolverine who loves dancing, 90s R&B/hip hop, and coffee. Brian Himmelsteib: Grievance Counselor Brian Himmelsteib joined AFSA in 2025 after a 20-year career with the U.S. Foreign Service. His career focused on East Asia and the Pacific, with tours as head of the management section in Singapore, Laos, Osaka-Kobe, and Surabaya. He served two tours in the State Department Operations Center, one as a watch officer, and one as a manager of the watch, as well as a tour on the Korea desk. Brian’s last assignment was at the Foreign Service Institute as the deputy head of the School of Language Studies, where he helped shepherd major changes to the language exam. He entered the Foreign Service with Chinese language and then learned Indonesian, Japanese, and Lao. He grew up in Northern New Jersey and graduated from Miami University in Ohio. Congratulations to our colleagues on these welldeserved promotions. Watch for a tribute to Sharon Papp and her decades of service, including thousands of AFSA members assisted and dozens of careers saved, in the July-August edition of AFSA News. n At its January 21 meeting, the board agreed to discontinue parliamentarian services as a cost-saving measure. At its February 18 meeting, the board approved several amendments to the AFSA bylaws to be put to a vote. The proposed amendments are outlined on page 70. n AFSA Governing Board Meetings, January 21 and February 18, 2026
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