Trump's Terms Judge rules Kari Lake unlawfully ran Voice of America, mass layoffs void
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Mar 9, 2026 David Folkenflick, NPR correspondent who covered the Voice of America story, explains a federal judge's ruling that Kari Lake lacked authority over VOA. He walks through the attempted layoffs, funding and contract cuts, and efforts to dismantle sister networks. He also outlines Lake's appeal plans and the hurdles to reversing the damage.
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Voice Of America Provides Independent News Abroad
- Voice of America exists to provide factual news to people in countries without a free press.
- David Folkenflick explains Kari Lake sought to dismantle VOA by cutting staff, funding, and canceling a cost-saving headquarters contract that disrupted broadcasts.
Lake's Cuts Halted Programming And Cancelled Savings Deal
- Kari Lake laid off hundreds of VOA employees and tried to cut funding to Radio Free Asia and Radio Free Europe.
- She also canceled a predecessor's headquarters contract that reportedly would have saved tens of millions of dollars.
Ruling Nullified Actions Because Lake Lacked Authority
- The judge's ruling focused on authority, not policy, finding Kari Lake lacked legal power to assume CEO duties.
- Lake was named senior advisor then delegated CEO powers without documented presidential nomination or Senate confirmation, per David Folkenflick.