Federal Judge Voids Kari Lake's Actions as Acting CEO of USAGM

A federal judge ruled on Saturday that Kari Lake, President Donald Trump’s appointee to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), unlawfully ran the agency and voided mass layoffs at Voice of America (VOA). The ruling is a significant setback to the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the government-funded news organization.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth concluded that Lake's appointment as acting CEO violated federal law, including the Constitution’s appointments clause and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. As a result, any actions taken by Lake during her tenure are void.

The ruling comes after VOA journalists Patsy Widakuswara, Kate Neeper, and Jessica Jerreat sued Lake to save their jobs. The plaintiffs expressed relief and gratitude following the decision, stating that it brings renewed hope for restoring VOA’s global operations.

The judge’s ruling that Kari Lake’s actions shall have no force or effect is a powerful step toward undoing the damage she has inflicted on this American institution that we love, they said in a statement. Even as we work through what this ruling means for colleagues harmed by her actions, it brings renewed hope and momentum to the next phase of our fight: restoring VOA‘s global operations and ensuring we continue to produce journalism, not propaganda.

Reporters Without Borders, which joined the staffers in filing suit, said the case was proof that fighting for press freedom matters. The organization's executive director, Clayton Weimers, emphasized the importance of ensuring VOA’s journalists can return to work.

Lake immediately criticized the ruling, calling Lamberth an activist judge and vowing to appeal. She argued that the American people had given President Trump a mandate to cut bureaucracy and eliminate waste. Lake claimed that the judge was standing in the way of those efforts.

The USAGM website currently identifies Lake as its deputy CEO, but she assumed the role of acting CEO last summer and fall despite widespread doubts about her qualifications. During her tenure, Lake made several controversial moves, including botched mass layoffs and attempts to fire the VOA director.

Lamberth's ruling is the latest in a string of setbacks for Lake, who has tried to follow Trump’s lead in dismantling VOA. The judge has repeatedly stood in the way, citing the separation of powers and Congress’s role. In March 2025, Trump stated his intention to eliminate USAGM to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, leading Lake to place the network’s entire workforce on administrative leave and pull funding from other broadcasters.

The ruling's immediate impact on sidelined VOA journalists remains unclear. However, it marks another step in undoing Trump’s proclaimed dismantling of the organization. Last month, Trump signed an appropriations bill that included half a billion dollars more for USAGM than Lake requested.