Judge Orders Kari Lake to Testify Under Oath in Voice of America Dispute
Judge Orders Kari Lake to Testify Under Oath in Voice of America Dispute
A senior federal judge has ordered Trump administration official Kari Lake to submit to questioning under oath as part of ongoing litigation concerning her efforts to dismantle Voice of America. The judge, U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth, stated that Lake was “verging on contempt of court” for her repeated failure to provide information regarding her intentions for the federally funded international broadcaster.
The court mandates that Lake and two of her aides must testify by September 15, providing detailed information previously withheld about Voice of America and its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. One of the aides, political appointee Frank Wuco, was involved in investigating Voice of America journalists for perceived anti-Trump bias during the end of President Trump’s first term—an action later deemed unconstitutional by a different federal judge.
In response, Lake has contested Judge Lamberth’s authority in the case, 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 facing lawsuits from Voice of America’s director, several journalists, a senior executive of the parent agency, and various unions and press advocacy groups. During a recent two-hour court hearing, Judge Lamberth strongly criticized a U.S. Justice Department attorney for offering vague assurances instead of substantive responses regarding the government’s defense.
The judge raised concerns about actions taken by Lake and her team without court notification, including requests for new agency funding, cycling out senior executives, suspending most of the workforce, attempting to fire Voice of America’s director, and striking a deal to carry content from the right-wing outlet One America News Network. Lamberth questioned the appropriateness of these moves, particularly the OANN deal, stating, “I thought the idea of Voice of America was not to take sides.”
Lake, who joined the agency in February after a career as a Phoenix news anchor and two unsuccessful bids for political office in Arizona, has cited a March executive order from President Trump as justification for significantly reducing Voice of America and USAGM. Her actions included firing hundreds of contract workers and placing hundreds of full-time employees on permanent paid leave. Voice of America, which once broadcast in 49 languages, now broadcasts in only four, with less than 10% of its journalists remaining on staff. Judge Lamberth has previously ruled that Lake acted hastily and violated legal and constitutional safeguards.
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