Judge Mandates Kari Lake's Deposition in Voice of America Dispute

A significant legal development has emerged concerning the future of Voice of America (VOA), as a federal judge has mandated that Trump administration official Kari Lake must provide sworn testimony. This order stems from her controversial decisions regarding the international broadcaster, signaling a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal challenges against her leadership. The court's insistence on transparency underscores the gravity of the situation and the critical need to clarify the direction of this vital media institution.

Federal Judge Compels Kari Lake's Testimony in Voice of America Controversy

In a compelling turn of events on August 26, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth issued a stern directive from his courtroom, compelling Kari Lake, a prominent figure from the Trump administration, to appear for a sworn deposition. This order is a direct response to her alleged attempts to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), a federally funded international broadcaster, despite clear congressional mandates for its preservation. Judge Lamberth did not mince words, asserting that Lake was \"verging on contempt of court\" due to her persistent failure to furnish critical information regarding her intentions for VOA's future operations.

The judge's order specifically mandates that Lake, alongside two of her key aides, including Frank Wuco, a political appointee implicated in past investigations into VOA journalists, must provide testimony by September 15. Furthermore, they are required to disclose comprehensive details that have previously been withheld concerning both VOA and its parent entity, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

In a retort emailed to NPR, Lake challenged the court's jurisdiction over her actions, stating, \"Time and again, we've seen district court judges overstep their authority. It's wrong, but sadly, it's become the norm. The current case against USAGM is a great example of why we need to restore constitutional checks and balances.\"

Lake is currently entangled in two interconnected lawsuits initiated by VOA's director, several journalists, a senior USAGM executive, and a coalition of unions and press advocacy organizations. During a contentious two-hour hearing, Judge Lamberth chastised Michael Velchik, a Justice Department attorney, for his inadequate defense, describing his responses as vague and unsubstantial.

The judge expressed his dismay over several actions taken by Lake and her team without his knowledge, including requests for new congressional funding, the dismissal of senior executives, the suspension of a majority of her workforce, attempts to terminate VOA's director, and an agreement to broadcast content from the right-leaning One America News Network (OANN). Judge Lamberth, a conservative Republican appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987, questioned the impartiality of the OANN deal, remarking, \"I thought the idea of Voice of America was not to take sides.\"

Lake assumed her role at the agency in February, following a career as a local news anchor in Phoenix and two unsuccessful bids for political office in Arizona, both aligned with a pro-Trump agenda. Since her arrival in Washington, D.C., she has invoked a March executive order from President Trump to justify significant cutbacks to VOA and USAGM.

Lake's directives led to the termination of hundreds of contract workers and placed numerous full-time employees on permanent paid leave, with warnings of impending job losses. VOA's broadcast languages have been drastically reduced from 49 to four, and less than 10% of its journalistic staff remain active. Among those on paid leave are VOA's director, its White House bureau chief, its press freedoms editor, and USAGM's chief strategy officer, all of whom are involved in litigation against Lake.

Previous rulings by Judge Lamberth have indicated that Lake acted precipitously, disregarding legal and constitutional safeguards. Although an appellate court overturned two of his orders, it upheld a crucial directive: VOA must be fully restored to fulfill its legal mandate of delivering \"news which is consistently reliable and authoritative, accurate, objective, and comprehensive.\" The judge emphasized that merely retaining journalists on paid leave, ready for temporary recall, does not satisfy this mission.

Congressional stipulations limit USAGM's ability to reallocate or reduce funding. Despite this, Lake also sought to defund VOA's affiliated networks, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcast Networks. Other judicial decisions have compelled her to reinstate payments to these networks, which operate as non-profit entities.

Attorneys representing Lake and the government cited Trump's Article II executive powers, arguing his authority to make decisions concerning federal agencies. Judge Lamberth has previously suggested that Lake placed employees on leave primarily to stall for time, hoping to deplete the current fiscal year's budget and persuade Congress to cease funding international broadcasters in subsequent years.

Voice of America was established in 1942 by the U.S. government to deliver accurate news to Nazi-controlled territories. During the Cold War, it, along with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, thrived as a tool of soft power, broadcasting news and cultural programs that showcased American values and democratic discourse to populations under authoritarian rule.

The plaintiffs contend that the Trump administration's actions are in violation of congressional intent and the explicit letter of the law. On Monday, Judge Lamberth appeared to align with their perspective, repeatedly questioning how Lake could comply with federal law—even under Trump's directive to meet minimum legal requirements—when there were no Korean-language broadcasts as mandated. Velchik disputed this interpretation, arguing that VOA's purpose was to support foreign policy objectives. \"Who gets to decide?\" Velchik asked. \"Not me. Not the plaintiffs. Not the court.\" Judge Lamberth interjected, \"Congress has a constitutionally provided role.\"

He also persistently inquired why he was not informed of plans to dismiss VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, how former USAGM Acting CEO Victor Morales was removed, and who currently serves as VOA's acting director in Abramowitz's absence. The federal attorneys were unable to provide satisfactory answers. At one point, after his responses were deemed insufficient by the judge, Velchik asked if he should simply repeat his answer.

The plaintiffs argue that the White House cannot unilaterally order the termination of VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, as such a move requires the super-majority approval of a bipartisan advisory panel for international broadcasting. Trump disbanded this panel upon assuming office and has not appointed new members, who would require Senate confirmation. (U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains on the board by virtue of his primary role.)

William Schultz, Abramowitz's attorney, maintained that the attempt to reassign Abramowitz to a position overseeing a small team at a shortwave radio facility in North Carolina constituted a de facto removal, regardless of whether he accepted the transfer, which he did not. Lamberth also pointedly questioned Lake's position within the agency. Lake, initially announced as a senior adviser, has identified herself as the agency's acting CEO since late July, a claim previously reported by NPR and affirmed in her sworn court declaration.

Neither the White House, Lake, nor the agency has provided documentation of her appointment to this acting role, despite repeated requests from NPR. Under the relevant statute, it appears Lake is ineligible to serve as interim chief executive, as the permanent position requires Senate confirmation. The law stipulates that an acting CEO must have been the acting chief deputy before the vacancy, or have been confirmed to another federal position by the U.S. Senate, or served as a senior agency executive for at least 90 days before the departure of the last Senate-confirmed CEO, Amanda Bennett, who left on the day of Trump's inauguration in January.

This case serves as a powerful reminder of the checks and balances inherent in our judicial system, particularly when executive authority clashes with legislative intent. The judge's decisive action underscores the judiciary's role in upholding the rule of law and protecting vital public institutions from political interference. It highlights the intricate dance between governmental branches and the enduring importance of a free and independent press in a democratic society. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome will undoubtedly set precedents for the future oversight and autonomy of federally funded media entities.