Federal judge voids Kari Lake's USAGM leadership and mass layoffs
A federal judge has ruled that Kari Lake's appointment as head of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) was illegal. The decision also declared her actions in office—including mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA)—void. Lake, a Trump ally and former Arizona political candidate, immediately vowed to appeal.
US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth found that Lake's installation as USAGM chief violated both the Constitution's appointments clause and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. His ruling on Saturday appeared to undo her earlier move to place the entire VOA workforce on administrative leave and cut funding for other US-backed broadcasters in March 2025.
Plaintiffs who sued Lake to protect their jobs and defend VOA's mission called the decision a victory. They described feeling 'vindicated and deeply grateful' after months of uncertainty.
Lake responded by labelling Judge Lamberth an 'activist' with a history of biased rulings. She insisted the agency would challenge the verdict, arguing that the court had overstepped its authority.
VOA, a government-funded outlet that produces journalism for international audiences, has faced shrinking resources since the end of the Biden administration. However, no public details exist on how Lake's leadership specifically affected daily operations or global reporting during her tenure.
The ruling leaves Lake's actions at USAGM legally nullified. VOA employees now face a period of transition as the agency assesses next steps. The case is expected to proceed to appeal, prolonging uncertainty for the broadcaster's future.
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