Judge Voids Layoffs at Voice of America, Rules Kari Lake Unlawfully Ran US Media Agency

Federal judge finds Trump-appointed acting CEO violated Constitution and federal law in overseeing agency

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has voided layoffs at the Voice of America (VOA) and ruled that Kari Lake, the acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), unlawfully ran the independent federal agency in violation of the Constitution's appointments clause and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

Why it matters

The ruling is a major setback for the Trump administration's efforts to reshape and downsize the VOA, which is the United States' government-funded international broadcaster. It raises questions about the legality of the administration's actions and the future leadership and direction of the agency.

The details

U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth found that Lake, who was appointed by President Trump to be a senior adviser to the USAGM's acting CEO, was unlawfully designated to perform the duties of the CEO role. Lamberth ruled that Lake's actions after becoming acting CEO, including eliminating USAGM staff in August 2025, are now void.

  • In February 2025, President Trump nominated Kari Lake to be senior adviser to acting USAGM CEO Victor Morales.
  • By July 2025, Lake was made acting CEO of USAGM and 'exercised control over the agency during the period relevant to the motions'.
  • In August 2025, Lake eliminated more than 500 USAGM staff members.
  • In December 2025, a federal judge blocked the layoffs at VOA.
  • On March 8, 2026, Judge Lamberth voided the layoffs and ruled that Lake's actions as acting CEO were unlawful.

The players

Royce Lamberth

A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia who ruled against Kari Lake and the Trump administration's actions at USAGM.

Kari Lake

The acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) who was found by the judge to have unlawfully run the independent federal agency.

Victor Morales

The acting CEO of USAGM who designated Kari Lake to perform the duties of the CEO role.

Patsy Widakuswara

The White House bureau chief of Voice of America (VOA) who filed the lawsuit against Kari Lake and USAGM.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who nominated Kari Lake to be a senior adviser at USAGM and signed an executive order in 2025 to gut the agency.

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What they’re saying

“The judge's ruling that Kari Lake's actions shall have no force or effect is a powerful step toward undoing the damage she has inflicted on this American institution that we love. Even as we work through what this ruling means for colleagues harmed by her actions, it brings renewed hope and momentum to the next phase of our fight: restoring VOA's global operations and ensuring we continue to produce journalism, not propaganda.”

— Patsy Widakuswara, Kate Neeper, and Jessica Jerreat, Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Kari Lake and USAGM (Politico)

“The American people gave President Trump a mandate to cut bloated bureaucracy, eliminate waste, and restore accountability to government. An activist judge is trying to stand in the way of those efforts at USAGM.”

— Kari Lake (The Washington Post)

What’s next

The judge's ruling is expected to be appealed by Kari Lake, setting up a legal battle over the leadership and direction of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's efforts to reshape federal agencies and the checks on executive power by the judicial branch. The ruling is a victory for those seeking to preserve the independence and journalistic integrity of the Voice of America.