A senior federal judge has mandated that Kari Lake, a Trump administration official, must submit to questioning under oath regarding her controversial efforts to undermine Voice of America (VOA). This directive comes amid ongoing litigation challenging her actions, which some argue contravene Congressional mandates aimed at preserving the integrity of the federally funded international broadcaster. U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth expressed concerns that Lake was nearing contempt of court for her noncompliance with orders to disclose essential information about her intentions for VOA.
Judge Lamberth has ordered Lake, along with two of her aides, to testify by September 15 and provide detailed information regarding her plans for VOA and its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Among her aides is Frank Wuco, a political appointee known for investigating VOA journalists for alleged ideological bias during President Trump’s first term. In a statement to NPR, Lake dismissed the judge's authority in this case, claiming that district court judges frequently overstep their bounds. "It’s wrong, but sadly, it's become the norm," she stated, advocating for a restoration of constitutional checks and balances.
Lake is facing lawsuits from multiple parties, including the director of Voice of America, several journalists, a senior executive of USAGM, and various unions and press advocacy groups. During a recent two-hour court hearing, Judge Lamberth criticized a U.S. Justice Department attorney for failing to provide substantive responses regarding the government's actions, instead offering vague reassurances. "That's just a hide-the-ball answer," Lamberth retorted to Michael Velchik, a senior counsel for the Justice Department.
Lake's actions have raised eyebrows, particularly her attempts to secure new funding from Congressional leaders, her dismissal of senior executives, and her suspension of the majority of VOA's workforce. Notably, she sought to fire the director of Voice of America and struck a deal to feature content from the right-wing outlet One America News Network (OANN). Judge Lamberth questioned the appropriateness of such actions, noting that the mission of VOA is to provide impartial news coverage.
Since Lake took office at VOA in February, following a career as a local news anchor and two unsuccessful political campaigns in Arizona, she has implemented drastic cuts. She cited a March executive order from President Trump to justify her actions, resulting in the firing of hundreds of contract workers and placing many full-time employees on permanent paid leave. The broadcaster's language offerings have plummeted from 49 to just four, with less than 10% of its journalists still active.
Judge Lamberth has previously ruled that Lake's swift actions violate established legal and constitutional safeguards. Although an appellate court overturned two of his orders, it upheld the requirement that VOA must operate at full capacity to fulfill its mandate of delivering reliable, accurate, and objective news. Congress has imposed limitations on USAGM, restricting its ability to alter or reduce funding, and Lake's efforts to eliminate funding for sister networks like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia have faced judicial challenges.
Established in 1942, Voice of America was created to provide accurate news reports to populations under oppressive regimes. Throughout the Cold War, it served as a symbol of American soft power, promoting democratic discourse and the appeal of American culture. The plaintiffs in the current case maintain that Lake's actions contravene Congress's intent and the law. Judge Lamberth echoed these concerns during the hearing, questioning how Lake could comply with federal law when mandated broadcasts in specific languages, such as Korean, were not being made available.
The current litigation encapsulates a broader discussion about executive power and accountability in federal agencies. Lake's legal team has argued that President Trump’s Article II executive powers grant him authority over federal agencies, yet Judge Lamberth has consistently pushed back on this interpretation. He has repeatedly sought clarity regarding Lake's authority and actions, particularly surrounding the controversial decision to transition VOA's leadership and the implications of such changes on the agency's mission.
As the case unfolds, the future of Voice of America and its role in delivering unbiased news remains uncertain, underscoring the importance of legal oversight in maintaining the integrity of U.S. international broadcasting.
