Judge rules Kari Lake's tenure leading USAGM was invalid
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A federal judge on Saturday ruled that efforts to delegate control of the U.S. Agency for Global Media to Trump ally Kari Lake were unlawful, therefore voiding Lake's actions as the acting head of the agency over the past year.
Why it matters: The ruling notably invalidates Lake's directive to lay off hundreds of employees across USAGM and the government-funded broadcasters it governs, such as Voice of America.
- It also voids other actions Lake took to reduce spending, including the cancellation of USAGM's lease on new office space and a significant reduction of broadcasting capabilities across USAGM-supported broadcasters.
Zoom in: In a summary judgement, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said Lake's brief appointment as CEO of USAGM last year was unlawful because she was not authorized by Congress to take that position.
- Other roles she was assigned in which she acted as the de facto head of the agency, including senior adviser and deputy CEO, were also ruled unlawful.
Catch up quick: The Trump administration last March ordered nearly all 1,300 employees of VOA to be placed on leave and said it would cut funding for other USAGM broadcasters and subsidiaries.
- A lawsuit was filed shortly after to seek relief from efforts to shutter VOA and its sister networks, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Middle East Broadcasting Networks and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.
- The complaint was filed by VOA White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, VOA journalist Jessica Jerreat and USAGM director of strategy and performance assessment Kathryn Neeper, alongside other USAGM employees.
What they're saying: In a statement Widakuswara, Neeper and Jerreat said they felt "vindicated" and "deeply grateful," in response to the ruling.
- "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," they said.
- "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."
The other side: "The American people gave President Trump a mandate to cut bloated bureaucracy, eliminate waste, and restore accountability to government," Lake said in a statement.
- "An activist judge is trying to stand in the way of those efforts at USAGM. Judge Lamberth has a pattern of activist rulings — and this case is no different. We strongly disagree with this decision and will appeal."
Between the lines: Judge Lamberth's previous rulings suggested he was likely to rule in favor of the plaintiffs.
- In April, he ruled that VOA workers who were placed on leave or fired should return to work and that the Trump administration must restore funding to the VOA and other U.S. government-funded news outlets.
Yes, but: While the judge's order voids Lake's efforts, much of the impact made to USAGM and its broadcasters can't be reversed.
- Lake canceled USAGM's lease on new office space last year.
The big picture: U.S. government-funded broadcasters for decades have relied on bipartisan support to combat foreign propaganda with authoritative and truthful storytelling.
- While the Trump administration has sought to gut USAGM, Congress, which authorizes the body's funding, has continued to fund the agency,
