A federal judge ruled Saturday that Kari Lake, chosen by President Trump to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have the legal authority to take actions that largely dismantled the Voice of America. The immediate effect of the ruling on VOA operations remains unclear.
Judge Voids Lake’s Actions
Voice of America, which began transmitting news coverage during World War II, is currently operating with a reduced staff and broadcasting in fewer languages following contract terminations and layoffs initiated by Lake. Judge Royce C. Lamberth voided all actions Lake took as CEO of USAGM from July 31, 2025, until November 19, 2025, when she moved to a senior advisor role. USAGM is considered an independent federal agency.
The judge determined that Lake did not meet the requirements for holding the position, citing laws designed to prevent unqualified government appointments. “Only the Appointments Clause or the Vacancies Act’s exclusive structure may authorize service as a principal officer and Lake satisfies the requirements of neither the statute nor the Constitution,” Judge Lamberth wrote.
Lake, in a statement, said she would appeal the decision, claiming an “activist judge” was obstructing efforts to cut bureaucracy and restore accountability. She also stated Judge Lamberth has “a pattern of activist rulings.”
Lawsuit and Reactions
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by Patsy Widakuswara, Voice of America’s White House bureau chief, and colleagues Kate Neeper and Jessica Jerreat, all of whom were laid off by Lake. The journalists expressed gratitude, stating the ruling was “a powerful step toward undoing the damage” inflicted on the organization.
Reporters Without Borders affirmed the decision, stating the administration acted unlawfully. Clayton Weimers, executive director of the organization’s North American branch, noted that further action is needed to restore the work of VOA journalists.
Kari Lake is a Trump loyalist who previously ran for Arizona governor in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024. As of 2024, Voice of America broadcast news in 49 languages to an estimated 354 million people weekly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions did Kari Lake take at Voice of America?
Kari Lake terminated contracts and laid off most of Voice of America’s employees, leading to a significantly reduced staff and fewer languages broadcast.
Why did the judge rule against Kari Lake?
The judge ruled that Kari Lake did not have the legal authority to act as CEO of USAGM because she had not received Senate confirmation and did not meet the requirements of the Appointments Clause or the Vacancies Act.
What is Voice of America’s role?
Proponents of Voice of America describe it as an example of “soft power” that provides unbiased news coverage to countries where governments control information.
As the legal challenge unfolds, what impact will this ruling ultimately have on the future of independent journalism at Voice of America?
