A federal judge ruled Saturday that Kari Lake unlawfully led the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) from January to March 2025, voiding mass layoffs and other actions she took. US District Judge Royce Lamberth determined that Lake's leadership violated federal law. Lamberth granted a summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs, including Voice of America (VOA) journalists and a union representing federal employees.
Judge Lamberth wrote that Lake oversaw the media agency in violation of the Constitution's appointments clause. Lamberth ruled that Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO because she was not employed by USAGM when former CEO Amanda Bennett resigned in January 2025. She also had not been confirmed by the Senate to any other federal post. Lake officially joined USAGM in March 2025 as a senior adviser.
The judge declared all of Lake's actions taken during her unlawful tenure to be null and void, including mass layoffs. The judge previously halted plans in April and September that would have put many VOA employees out of work, although the April ruling was later overturned by an appeals court.
Lake said in a statement on social media that she will appeal this ruling.
Plaintiffs in the case, Voice of America's White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, Jessica Jerreat and Kate Neeper, said they felt "vindicated and deeply grateful" for the judge's ruling. The plaintiffs said the ruling represents a step toward restoring the agency's operations.
The US Agency for Global Media oversees the Voice of America, the US's largest and oldest international broadcaster, and provides grants to Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe and other news agencies. Congress appropriated more funds than Lake had requested for the agency in 2026. The ruling means that those who were laid off may have their jobs restored, altering the direction of the agency.
A federal judge ruled Saturday that Kari Lake unlawfully led the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) for several months last year, voiding mass layoffs and other actions she took. US District Judge Royce Lamberth determined that Lake's leadership violated federal law. Lamberth granted a summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs, including Voice of America (VOA) journalists and a union representing federal employees.
Judge Lamberth wrote that Lake oversaw the media agency in violation of the Constitution’s appointments clause. Lamberth ruled that Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO because she was not employed by USAGM when former CEO Amanda Bennett resigned in January 2025. She also had not been confirmed by the Senate to any other federal post. Lake officially joined USAGM in March as a senior adviser.
The judge declared all of Lake's actions over the past year to be null and void, including the layoffs of over 1,000 journalists and staffers. Lake cut contracts and over 1,000 staff positions when she was appointed to the role on July 31 before she relinquished the position on November 19. The decision marks at least the third time Lamberth has ruled against the Trump administration in cases involving the Voice of America.
Lake said in a statement on social media that she will appeal this ruling. She also reposted a claim that the judge slept through arguments in the trial, responding “not surprised. Morbid obesity can cause massive issues with blood sugar.” Lamberth was appointed by Ronald Reagan in 1987.
Plaintiffs in the case, Voice of America’s White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, Jessica Jerreat and Kate Neeper, said they felt “vindicated and deeply grateful” for the judge’s ruling. They added that the ruling is a powerful step toward undoing the damage she has inflicted on this American institution. They hope to restore VOA’s global operations and ensure they continue to produce journalism, not propaganda.
The US Agency for Global Media oversees the Voice of America, the US’s largest and oldest international broadcaster, and provides grants to Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe and other news agencies. Despite efforts to defund the agency, Congress appropriated half a billion dollars more than Lake requested in funding for the agency in 2026. The ruling means that those who were laid off may have their jobs restored, altering the direction of the agency.
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