Federal Judge Rules Kari Lake's Actions as Acting USAGM CEO Are Void

Kari Lake's tenure as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media was unlawful, a federal judge has ruled.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A federal judge has ruled that Kari Lake's actions as the acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) from July to November 2025 are "void" because her appointment was unlawful under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The judge cited previous court rulings that found similar temporary appointments by the Trump administration to be invalid, including the appointment of Alina Habba as acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant setback for Kari Lake, who has been a vocal supporter of former President Trump's efforts to reshape federal agencies. The judge's decision invalidates the mass firings and other actions Lake took during her time as acting USAGM CEO, providing relief to hundreds of employees who were terminated.

The details

Senior U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, a conservative judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan, ruled that Lake was not lawfully serving as acting CEO because she was not the first assistant when the vacancy arose. The judge cited previous court losses for the Trump administration regarding temporary appointments, including the case of John Sarcone, who claimed authority as an acting U.S. Attorney but was found to be unlawfully appointed.

  • Lake claimed authority as acting USAGM CEO from July 31 to November 19, 2025.
  • The judge's ruling was issued on March 9, 2026.

The players

Kari Lake

A Republican politician who was unlawfully installed as the acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) by the Trump administration.

Royce Lamberth

A senior U.S. District Judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, who ruled that Lake's actions as acting USAGM CEO were "void" because her appointment was unlawful.

Donald Trump

The former president who installed Lake as acting USAGM CEO as part of his efforts to "dismantle by decree" federally-funded global media organizations.

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What they’re saying

“Agreeing with other judicial decisions that have addressed this question, the Court concludes that Lake's argument is inconsistent with the text and structure of the Vacancies Act.”

— Judge Royce Lamberth, Senior U.S. District Judge

“Allowing the President to circumvent Congress's carefully crafted limitations in this way would make a 'vestigial surplusage' of the statute and 'the advice-and-consent requirement' for principal officers.”

— Judge Royce Lamberth, Senior U.S. District Judge

What’s next

The judge's ruling invalidates all of Kari Lake's actions as acting USAGM CEO, including the mass firings of employees. This provides relief to hundreds of terminated workers, though the full impact and any potential appeals remain to be seen.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of adhering to legal procedures and the rule of law, even in the face of political pressure. The judge's decision reaffirms that temporary appointments must follow the proper legal channels, and that the executive branch cannot simply bypass Congress's advice-and-consent requirements for principal officers.