"Only the Appointments Clause or the Vacancies Act's exclusive structure may authorize service as a principal officer, and Lake satisfies the requirements of neither the statute nor the Constitution. Lake had been chosen by Trump to effectively lead the agency that oversees Voice of America and other services like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. But she has not received Senate confirmation for her role."
"Voice of America, which has transmitted news coverage to countries around the world since its formation during World War II, is operating with a skeleton staff in only a handful of languages after Lake terminated contracts and laid off most of its employees."
"We feel vindicated and deeply grateful. The ruling against Lake is a powerful step toward undoing the damage she has inflicted on this American institution that we love. They said they are still trying to determine what the action effectively means for colleagues whose careers have been in limbo."
Federal Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake, Trump's unconfirmed choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have legal authority to take actions dismantling Voice of America. Lake terminated contracts and laid off most employees, reducing VOA to skeleton staff operations in only a handful of languages. The judge determined Lake failed to satisfy requirements under the Appointments Clause or Vacancies Act to serve as a principal officer without Senate confirmation. Journalists Patsy Widakuswara, Kate Neeper, and Jessica Jerreat, who were laid off, filed the lawsuit. Lake called the decision bogus and announced plans to appeal. The ruling's immediate effect on VOA operations remains unclear.
Read at AP News
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