The move could mean a months-long legal challenge over the news outlets’ fate. The networks reach an estimated 427 million people.

The layoffs set up a potential battle with a federal judge who blocked previous efforts by Kari Lake, a fierce Trump ally, to restructure the agency.

Termination notices have been issued to more than 500 employees of VOA's parent agency.

The move could mean a months-long legal challenge over the news outlets’ fate. The networks reach an estimated 427 million people.

The remaining 532 employees at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which is the parent agency of the Voice of America, have received termination notices.