U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled on March 7, 2026, in Washington, D.C., that Kari Lake unlawfully served as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The decision voids all actions Lake took in that role from July 31, 2025, to November 19, 2025. This includes a major reduction in force announced on August 29, 2025, that targeted hundreds of Voice of America (VOA) employees for termination.
The ruling grants summary judgment to plaintiffs, which include:
- VOA journalists and editors
- A federal employee union
- Press freedom organizations
They filed suit arguing that Lake’s appointment violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. Judge Lamberth, a Reagan appointee to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, agreed. He stated that Lake was ineligible to serve as acting CEO because she was not an employee of USAGM at the time former CEO Amanda Bennett resigned in January 2025. Lake had not received Senate confirmation to any federal position that would qualify her under the law.
Lake joined USAGM in March 2025 as a senior adviser. President Trump selected her in late 2024 to lead efforts at VOA and related networks after his election victory. The administration aimed to align the agency with its priorities, including presenting policies more directly. Lake moved into higher roles without Senate confirmation, eventually designated as acting CEO on July 31, 2025. She held that position until November 19, 2025, when she shifted to another advisory capacity within the agency.
During her time as acting CEO, Lake directed significant changes at USAGM and VOA. The agency oversees VOA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and other international broadcasters funded by the U.S. government to provide news and information abroad. VOA, established during World War II, reaches audiences in multiple languages with reporting intended to reflect American values and counter foreign propaganda.
The August 29, 2025, reduction in force sought to eliminate hundreds of positions at VOA. Reports indicate plans affected over 1,000 journalists, staffers, and contractors in some estimates. The action aimed to streamline operations and reduce what the administration viewed as inefficiencies or misalignment. Judge Lamberth previously issued temporary halts in April and September 2025, suspending the layoffs pending full review. Those employees remained on payroll during the litigation.
The March 7 ruling declares those actions null and void. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, actions by an unlawfully serving official have no force or effect and cannot be ratified later. Lamberth wrote that Lake satisfied neither the statute nor the Constitution for service as a principal officer. He invalidated delegations of authority that effectively placed her in the CEO role without proper process.
The decision reinstates the affected VOA staff by canceling the reduction in force. Since prior court orders kept the targeted employees in place, the ruling finalizes their job security. Unions and press freedom groups, including those representing federal workers, described the outcome as a victory for civil service protections and independent journalism. They argued the moves threatened the agency’s mission to deliver factual reporting without political interference.
The Trump administration pursued reforms at USAGM to address perceived biases and operational bloat in government-funded media. Supporters of the changes point to the need for accountability in agencies that receive taxpayer dollars and operate with editorial independence. The court found the method of implementation crossed legal lines on appointments.
Lake called the ruling bogus and indicated an appeal would follow. The administration has faced similar court setbacks in efforts to restructure other federal entities. This case highlights strict requirements for filling high-level vacancies without Senate involvement.
The ruling restores operations at VOA to their pre-August 2025 status regarding personnel. Staff who faced termination now continue their roles without legal uncertainty from that specific action. Broader implications remain for future leadership appointments at independent agencies. The decision enforces constitutional checks on executive power to avoid circumvention of Senate confirmation.
Press freedom advocates emphasize that VOA’s work supports global access to reliable information, especially in regions with restricted media. The voided changes could have reduced language services and reach. With the layoffs canceled, the agency maintains its workforce and capacity.
Federal courts continue to examine executive actions against statutory and constitutional limits. This outcome protects federal employees from unauthorized personnel decisions and upholds the rule of law in government operations.
Judge Lamberth’s ruling stands as a clear enforcement of appointment laws, ensuring that only qualified individuals exercise principal officer authority in federal agencies.
