Federal Judge Voids Kari Lake's Actions as Voice of America CEO

Lake's appointment and layoffs at the agency violated federal law, judge rules.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A federal judge ruled that Kari Lake's leadership of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, including her implementation of layoffs at its Voice of America unit, violated federal law. The judge found that Lake was not eligible to serve as acting CEO since she was not employed by the agency when the previous CEO resigned, and that her appointment also violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

Why it matters

This ruling is a setback for the Trump administration's efforts to reshape the leadership and direction of the Voice of America, which is the U.S. government's international broadcasting service. The decision affirms the importance of following proper legal procedures in federal appointments and protects the independence of the agency.

The details

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted summary judgment in favor of Voice of America journalists, a union representing federal workers, and others who sued Lake. The judge ruled that Lake was not eligible to serve as acting CEO since she was not employed by the U.S. Agency for Global Media when the previous CEO resigned, and that her appointment also violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. Lamberth also found that when President Trump appointed Lake as director of Voice of America, he did so by improperly removing six of the seven members of its International Broadcasting Advisory Board.

  • In January 2025, the previous CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Amanda Bennett, resigned.
  • In March 2025, Kari Lake officially joined the U.S. Agency for Global Media as a senior adviser.
  • In November 2025, a press release referred to Lake as the deputy CEO of the agency.

The players

Kari Lake

President Donald Trump's choice to lead Voice of America, who was found to have violated federal law in her actions as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

Amanda Bennett

The previous CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, who resigned in January 2025.

Royce Lamberth

The U.S. District Judge who ruled that Lake's leadership and actions at the agency were unlawful.

Donald Trump

The former president who appointed Lake to lead Voice of America, which the judge found was done improperly.

AFSCME

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, one of the plaintiffs in the case against Lake.

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What they’re saying

“Judge Lamberth has a pattern of activist rulings—and this case is no different. We strongly disagree with this decision and will appeal.”

— Kari Lake (Social media)

“Voice of America employees are dedicated public servants who provide hope for freedom to those living under oppressive governments around the world. Yet time and again, this administration has attempted to strip these proud AFSCME members of their collective bargaining freedoms and their jobs.”

— Lee Saunders, AFSCME President (Statement)

“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.”

— Patsy Widakuswara, Kathryn Neeper, and Jessica Jerreat, Plaintiffs (Joint statement)

What’s next

Lake has stated that she will appeal the judge's ruling, so the case is likely to continue in the courts.

The takeaway

This decision underscores the importance of following proper legal procedures in federal appointments and protects the independence of the Voice of America, which plays a critical role in providing information to people living under oppressive regimes around the world.