US judge voids actions taken by Kari Lake as Voice of America CEO in 2025

Sunday 08 March 2026 - 11:00

A federal judge in the United States has invalidated a series of decisions taken in 2025 by Kari Lake during her time leading the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), including staff reductions and operational changes at Voice of America.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, determined that Lake’s leadership of the agency for a significant part of last year did not comply with federal law. As a result, several major actions taken under her authority were declared invalid.

According to the court’s decision, the appointment that allowed Lake to serve as acting chief executive of USAGM was inconsistent with provisions outlined in the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which regulate how temporary leadership roles within federal institutions can be filled.

The legal challenge was brought by a group of journalists working for Voice of America, along with a union representing federal employees. The plaintiffs argued that the decisions taken during Lake’s tenure—including job cuts and the reduction or suspension of several programs—were implemented without proper legal authority.

Voice of America, an international broadcaster funded by the U.S. government, plays a key role in delivering news and information to global audiences. Critics of the restructuring measures said the changes threatened the organization’s editorial independence and its ability to fulfill its mission of providing reliable information worldwide.

The court’s decision represents another legal setback for efforts by the administration of Donald Trump to reshape certain federal agencies. In recent years, several reforms aimed at restructuring public institutions have faced scrutiny or challenges in the judicial system.

Legal experts say the ruling could have broader implications for governance within federal agencies, particularly regarding the limits of temporary appointments and the authority granted to acting officials.

While the immediate operational consequences for Voice of America remain uncertain, the judgment reinforces the importance of following constitutional and statutory procedures when appointing leaders to key government institutions.