Judge Orders Kari Lake to Testify Over Contempt in Voice of America Dismantling Efforts

Federal Judge Royce C. Lamberth has ordered Kari Lake, a senior official in the Trump administration, to testify under oath regarding her attempts to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) contrary to congressional mandates. In a hearing on Monday, Lamberth accused Lake and two associates of contempt for failing to comply with his orders to provide information about their plans for VOA and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

Lake and her team are required to testify by September 15 and submit detailed information they have withheld regarding VOA and USAGM. One of Lake’s aides is Frank Wuco, a political appointee who investigated VOA journalists for ideological bias during the final days of President Trump’s term.

Lake disputed the judge’s authority over her actions in an email to NPR, stating that district court judges frequently overstep their bounds and constitutional checks and balances are necessary. Lake is currently involved in two related lawsuits filed by VOA’s director, several journalists, a senior USAGM executive, unions, and press advocacy groups.

During the hearing, Lamberth criticized the U.S. Justice Department for providing vague assurances instead of substantive responses regarding government actions. He also criticized the deal struck between VOA and right-wing TV outlet One America News Network (OANN), stating that Voice of America’s mission is to provide reliable, objective, comprehensive news, not to take sides.

Lamberth has previously ruled that Lake acted hastily, violating legal and constitutional safeguards. An appellate court upheld Lamberth’s order for VOA to resume full operations, stating that having journalists on paid leave does not fulfill the agency’s mission.

Congress stipulated that USAGM has limited ability to change or reduce funding. However, Lake also sought to eliminate funding for VOA’s sister networks such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle East Broadcast Networks. Judicial rulings have required her to re-open the flow of payments for these networks, which are technically not-for-profits.

Attorneys for the U.S. Justice Department cited Trump’s executive powers under the Constitution in court filings to argue that he could make any decisions he wanted regarding federal agencies. Lamberth has previously written that Lake was simply putting people on leave to stall for time, hoping to run out the current fiscal year and convince Congress not to fund international broadcasters in future years.

The U.S. government launched VOA in 1942 to broadcast accurate news reports into Nazi-controlled territory. During the Cold War, it flourished as a show of soft power, beaming news and music programs promoting American culture and democratic discourse to people living under authoritarian regimes.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the Trump administration’s actions violate Congress’ intent and the black letter of the law. On Monday, Lamberth seemed to embrace this thinking, asking numerous times how Lake could be complying with federal law when it mandated broadcasts in Korean but there were no such offerings available.

The plaintiffs also argue that the White House cannot order the firing of VOA Director Michael Abramowitz because such a move requires the approval of a bipartisan advisory panel for international broadcasting, which Trump has not appointed since taking office. Abramowitz’s attorney, William Schultz, stated that an effort to transfer Abramowitz to a job overseeing staff at a shortwave radio facility in North Carolina constituted a removal, whether or not he accepted the transfer.

Lamberth also questioned Lake’s position as acting CEO of USAGM, stating that she has styled herself as such since at least late July but has provided no documentation of her appointment to that position. The permanent position requires Senate confirmation, and under the relevant statute, Lake does not appear to be eligible for an acting position without it.