Judge Calls Kari Lake’s Move Unlawful
A federal judge has ruled that layoffs carried out at Voice of America (VOA) must be voided, while also determining that Kari Lake’s leadership role at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) was not legally authorized under federal law.
The decision, issued Saturday by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington, D.C., centers on whether Lake had the legal authority to oversee the agency and make major personnel decisions.
The ruling has triggered a new legal and political battle over the future of the government-funded media organization and the Trump administration’s broader effort to reform federal agencies.
Judge Rules Lake’s Authority Violated Federal Law
In his decision, Judge Lamberth concluded that Lake’s position overseeing the agency violated both the U.S. Constitution’s Appointments Clause and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.
The case began after Patsy Widakuswara, the White House bureau chief for Voice of America, filed a lawsuit challenging Lake’s authority to act as the agency’s top leader.
According to the court’s findings, Lake was given sweeping authority within the agency without receiving formal Senate confirmation.
Judge Lamberth wrote that the structure used to place Lake in charge effectively allowed her to function as the agency’s chief executive “in all but name.”
The judge warned that allowing such an arrangement could create a dangerous precedent by enabling future administrations to bypass the Senate confirmation process for major government positions.
How Kari Lake Rose to Power Inside the Agency
The controversy began in February 2025, when President Donald Trump nominated Kari Lake to serve as a senior adviser to USAGM acting CEO Victor Morales.
Soon after, Morales delegated most of the agency’s responsibilities to Lake.
According to the court, Lake was authorized to perform 19 of the 22 responsibilities normally assigned to the CEO, giving her effective control over the organization.
By July, she was widely viewed as the agency’s operational leader and began making significant policy and staffing decisions.
Judge Lamberth, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan, ruled that the extensive transfer of authority exceeded what federal law allows.
Layoffs of Hundreds of Employees Now Invalid
One of the most significant consequences of the ruling is the reversal of layoffs carried out at the agency.
The court determined that because Lake’s leadership was not legally authorized, the personnel decisions she made—including the elimination of hundreds of jobs—cannot stand.
The layoffs reportedly affected more than 500 employees across the agency.
Lamberth also invalidated earlier actions taken by Victor Morales to delegate those leadership powers to Lake.
Plaintiffs Claim the Ruling Protects VOA’s Mission
The journalists who filed the lawsuit say the court’s decision is an important victory for the organization.
Widakuswara, along with fellow plaintiffs Kate Neeper and Jessica Jerreat, released a statement saying they feel vindicated by the judge’s ruling.
They argue the decision could help restore stability inside the agency and allow Voice of America to return to its core mission of providing reliable news to global audiences.
The group also expressed hope that the ruling will lead to broader reforms and renewed operations for the international broadcasting network.
Kari Lake Responds: “We Will Appeal”
Lake strongly criticized the court’s decision and made clear she plans to challenge the ruling.
In a statement following the decision, she said the Trump administration had a clear mandate from voters to reform government agencies and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.
Lake argued that USAGM had become too large and inefficient and that restructuring the agency was necessary to improve accountability and reduce wasteful spending.
She also accused the judge of standing in the way of efforts to streamline the federal government.
Legal experts say the appeal could send the case to a higher federal court, potentially prolonging the dispute for months.
Trump Administration’s Broader Push to Reform USAGM
The legal battle comes amid a wider effort by the Trump administration to reshape the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at dramatically restructuring the agency.
The goal of the reform effort was to reduce costs, improve oversight, and refocus the agency’s mission.
Supporters of the reforms argue that taxpayer-funded media outlets must remain accountable to the American public.
Critics, however, claim that major structural changes could affect the editorial independence of international broadcasters like Voice of America.
New Controversy Erupts at VOA
The ruling also comes at a time of heightened internal tension at Voice of America.
Just one day before the court’s decision, Ahmad Batebi, a well-known Iranian dissident and VOA journalist, was reportedly dismissed from his position.
Reports indicate the dispute involved disagreements over coverage related to Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
The incident has further intensified debate about the future direction of the organization.
What Happens Next
With Kari Lake planning to appeal the decision, the legal fight surrounding Voice of America and the U.S. Agency for Global Media is far from settled.
The outcome could have long-term consequences for how federal agencies appoint temporary leadership and how much authority those officials can exercise.
For now, however, the ruling represents a significant setback for the Trump administration’s effort to restructure the agency and reduce its workforce.
Observers across Washington will be watching closely as the case moves to the next phase in the courts.
