Judge Orders VOA to Reinstate Employees, Blocks Kari Lake’s Overhaul

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to reinstate over 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees who were placed on abandon, effectively rebuking the actions taken by Kari Lake during her leadership of the agency. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth, found that Lake’s efforts to dismantle parts of the news outlet were “arbitrary and capricious,” and violated federal law. This decision marks at least the third time Judge Lamberth has ruled against attempts to significantly alter VOA’s operations.

The core of the dispute centers on Lake’s authority to enact sweeping changes within USAGM, the parent agency of VOA. Appointed as a senior advisor in March 2025, she quickly assumed increasing levels of authority, eventually referring to herself as the acting CEO – a position the judge determined she was not legally eligible to hold. Lamberth ruled that Lake was ineligible because she wasn’t an employee of USAGM when the previous CEO resigned and hadn’t been confirmed by the Senate for any federal post. As reported by HuffPost, the judge invalidated a series of actions Lake took to cut staff and curtail operations at VOA.

The Legal Basis of the Ruling

Judge Lamberth’s decision rests on two key legal grounds. First, he found that Lake violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution’s Appointments Clause by exceeding her authority as a non-confirmed appointee. Second, he determined that she failed to adequately consider the implications of her actions, specifically regarding Congress’s intent in funding the agency and the potential consequences of significantly reducing VOA’s operations. The judge specifically criticized the lack of analysis supporting the drastic cuts, noting that the agency’s justification relied on an “assertion…as inscrutable as it is conclusory.”

The ruling compels USAGM to restore the positions of the 1,042 full-time VOA employees who were placed on leave. However, the judge did not order the reinstatement of hundreds of contractors whose positions were severed under Lake’s leadership, stating that their cases must be addressed through the appropriate administrative labor dispute channels.

VOA’s Role and Recent Disruptions

Established during World War II, Voice of America was initially created to counter propaganda and provide unbiased news to audiences in regions lacking free press access. Over time, it evolved into a global network reaching hundreds of millions of people weekly in over 100 countries, broadcasting in 49 languages. As the Associated Press detailed, under Lake’s direction, VOA’s reach was dramatically reduced, falling to just six language services earlier this year.

The recent disruptions at VOA have sparked considerable debate about the role of U.S. International broadcasting. Lake herself advocated for a significant overhaul, even suggesting the agency be “scrapped” and rebuilt under the control of the State Department. She characterized much of VOA’s existing content as “anti-American” or biased, pointing to alleged attempts by foreign governments to influence programming. During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in June 2025, Lake urged Congress to shut down the network altogether, arguing it was no longer serving its intended purpose. The Hill reported on the contentious hearing, highlighting Lake’s sharp criticism of mainstream media and her vision for a restructured international broadcasting system.

Impact on Employees and Future Operations

VOA Director Michael Abramowitz expressed relief at the judge’s decision, stating, “We are thrilled with Judge Lamberth’s ruling and look forward to getting back to function. Voice of America has never been more needed.” Abramowitz himself was targeted for removal by Lake, who sought to reassign him to a short-wave radio facility in North Carolina. His position, along with those of the reinstated employees, will be restored pending the outcome of any potential appeals.

The ruling is likely to face legal challenges from the administration. Lake has previously vowed to appeal similar rulings and accused Judge Lamberth of judicial activism. The future of VOA and USAGM remains uncertain, but this decision represents a significant setback for efforts to drastically reshape the agency and its mission.

What’s Next for USAGM and VOA

The immediate next step is the reinstatement of the affected VOA employees by Monday, as ordered by the court. However, the legal battle is far from over. The administration is expected to appeal the ruling, potentially prolonging the uncertainty surrounding VOA’s future. Simultaneously, Congress will likely continue to scrutinize the agency’s operations and funding, particularly in light of the recent controversies. Further congressional hearings and oversight reviews are anticipated to assess the impact of Lake’s leadership and to determine the best path forward for U.S. International broadcasting. The agency will also need to address the outstanding labor disputes involving the contractors whose positions were eliminated.