Judges NIX Kari Lake’s Shutdown – Wow!
Federal judges have blocked Kari Lake’s attempts to shut down Voice of America and other U.S. international broadcasters, raising questions about media control and governmental authority.
At a Glance
- Federal judges issued temporary restraining orders preventing Lake from shuttering VOA and Radio Free Europe
- Lake, a former TV news anchor and now senior Trump adviser, has criticized the networks for alleged liberal bias
- VOA operations were halted on March 15, affecting networks that reach 420 million people in over 100 countries
- Despite the legal setbacks, Lake aims to “modernize” VOA to align with Trump administration priorities
- The case highlights tensions between executive authority and laws protecting journalistic independence
Judicial Intervention Halts Lake’s Shutdown Efforts
Two federal judges have issued temporary restraining orders blocking Kari Lake and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) from further dismantling federally funded international broadcasters. U.S. Judge J. Paul Oetken stepped in to prevent additional steps to shutter Voice of America, which had already ceased producing new content since March 15. In a separate ruling, Judge Royce C. Lamberth in Washington froze Lake’s efforts to cut off funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, creating significant legal obstacles to the administration’s plans.
The judges found merit in allegations that Lake and USAGM violated both federal laws and constitutional provisions designed to protect these networks from political interference. Judge Oetken characterized the situation as a “classic First Amendment injury,” while Judge Lamberth stated that USAGM leadership cannot arbitrarily shut down Radio Free Europe “with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, even if the President has told them to do so.”
“The leadership of USAGM cannot, with one sentence of reasoning offering virtually no explanation, force RFE/RL to shut down — even if the President has told them to do so.”, said Judge Royce C. LamberthÂ
Lake’s Vision for International Broadcasting
Kari Lake, a former television news anchor and unsuccessful political candidate who now serves as a senior presidential adviser, has been vocal about her criticism of these networks. She has alleged liberal and anti-Trump bias in their coverage, suggesting that VOA and its sister networks need substantial reform. President Trump has ordered the reduction of USAGM operations to the minimum level permitted by law, signaling an administration-wide effort to reshape or curtail these entities that collectively reach more than 420 million people weekly.
Despite the legal setbacks, Lake maintains that her goal is to align VOA with the administration’s diplomatic objectives rather than eliminating it entirely. She has encouraged USAGM employees to consider voluntary buyouts, hinting at the potential for permanent layoffs in the future. The administration’s actions have already resulted in significant staff furloughs and terminations across these networks, raising concerns among supporters of international broadcasting.
“Voice of America has an incredible mission. It needs to return to it. We’re going to modernize it, make it more efficient, and ensure that instead of spreading anti-American propaganda, it’s spreading information aligned with our diplomatic policies.”, said Kari Lake.
Strategic Importance and Political Divisions
The networks at the center of this controversy provide news and cultural programming to regions lacking a free press and serve as instruments of American soft diplomacy. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans have voiced support for VOA and its sister networks, citing their role in promoting American ideals abroad and serving as sources of credible information in regions dominated by state-controlled media. These networks operate in 63 languages, reaching audiences in more than 100 countries.
Critics of the networks, including influential voices like Elon Musk, have characterized them as wasteful expenditures that fail to effectively advance American interests. Musk described VOA and similar outlets as “radical left crazy people talking to themselves while torching $1B/year of US taxpayer money.” Despite the temporary legal protection provided by the restraining orders, Lake may still pursue alternative strategies to reshape these institutions, including working with lawmakers to strip future funding.
