A federal judge ruled Saturday that Kari Lake’s leadership of USAGM for much of last year violated federal law, reversing a series of layoffs and layoffs at its Voice of America (VOA) division.
In another blow to the Donald Trump administration’s attempts to shrink various government agencies, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs — including VOA reporters and a federal labor union — who argued that Lake’s appointment as acting CEO and the actions he took in that role violated the Federal Employment Reform Act.
Lamberth ruled that Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO because he was not employed by USAGM when former CEO Amanda Bennett resigned in January 2025, and had not been confirmed by the Senate to any senior government position.
Lake officially joined USAGM in March as a senior advisor. A Nov. 21 news release from the agency named him its deputy CEO.
The judge also rejected the administration’s argument that Lake could take over the CEO’s powers through a message from previous acting CEO Victor Morales.
Saturday’s ruling marks at least the third time Lamberth has ruled against the Trump administration in cases involving VOA. A judge in April and September halted plans that would have put many VOA employees out of work, though the April ruling was overturned by an appeals court.
