US judge voids 2025 actions taken by Kari Lake as Voice of America CEO, including job cuts
The Straits Times
The judge ruled that Ms Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO. Read more at straitstimes.com.
WASHINGTON - A federal judge ruled on March 7 that Ms Kari Lake’s leadership of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) for much of 2025 violated federal law, invalidating a sweeping series of actions she took to cut staff and end many operations at its Voice of America (VOA) unit.
In another blow to the Trump administration’s attempts to diminish various government agencies, US district judge Royce Lamberth granted a summary judgment in favour of plaintiffs – including VOA journalists and a union representing federal employees – who argued that Ms Lake’s appointment as acting chief executive and actions she took in that role ran afoul of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution’s Appointments Clause.
Judge Lamberth ruled that Ms Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO because she was not employed by USAGM when former CEO Amanda Bennett resigned in January 2025, and had not been confirmed by the Senate to any other federal post.
Ms Lake officially joined USAGM in March as a senior adviser. A Nov 21 news release from the agency called her deputy CEO.
The judge also rejected the administration’s argument that Ms Lake could wield CEO authority through a delegation from previous acting CEO Victor Morales.
The March 7 decision marks at least the third time Judge Lamberth has ruled against the Trump administration in cases involving the VOA.
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