Federal Judge Blocks Kari Lake’s Unilateral Attempt to Fire Voice of America Director

A federal judge ruled on Thursday, August 22, that Trump administration official Kari Lake cannot unilaterally fire Michael Abramowitz, the director of Voice of America (VOA), asserting that her attempt to do so violates federal law. The decision from U.S. Senior District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth underscores the legal requirement for Lake to have the explicit backing of a Congressional advisory panel to insulate the international broadcaster from political pressure.

Judge Lamberth’s ruling highlighted that President Trump had dismissed six of the seven members of the International Broadcasting Advisory Board shortly after taking office for a second term in January 2025 and has not named their replacements. Without this panel, Lake lacks the statutory authority to remove Abramowitz. The judge also declared an earlier reassignment offer to Abramowitz as illegal, stating, “There is no longer a question of whether the termination was lawful.”

Abramowitz, who filed a motion asking the court to intervene in late July after being placed on administrative leave in March and subsequently threatened with termination, expressed gratification. “It is especially urgent for Voice of America to resume robust programming, which is so important for the security and influence of the United States,” he stated, reinforcing VOA’s mandated role as a reliable and authoritative news source abroad.

Kari Lake, however, quickly announced the Trump administration’s intent to appeal the ruling. “Elections have consequences, and President Trump runs the executive branch,” she asserted, criticizing Judge Lamberth and other district judges as “radical.” The Justice Department had argued on Lake’s behalf, citing expansive executive powers under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

The court explicitly rejected the government’s procedural arguments and broader claims of executive power, affirming the constitutionality of the law protecting Voice of America’s journalistic independence. The ruling reinforces the bipartisan legislation passed in 2020, aimed at shielding the federal government-funded networks, including VOA, from political interference.

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