Title: Federal Judge Stands Up to Kari Lake’s Attempt to Fire Voice of America Director In an interesting turn of events, a federal judge in Washington D.C. has ruled that Trump administration official Kari Lake cannot unilaterally fire the director of Voice of America (VOA). The decision comes after Judge Royce C. Lamberth stated that Lake is breaking the law by trying to do so without explicit backing from an advisory panel set up by Congress. The purpose of this panel, known as the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), is to help insulate VOA and its sister networks from political pressure. However, President Trump dismissed six out of seven members shortly after taking office and has not named their replacements for confirmation by the U.S Senate. This means that Lake cannot legally take such action against Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz. In his ruling, Judge Lamberth also noted that even if Abramowitz had been offered a reassignment to oversee a handful of employees at a shortwave radio transmission facility in Greenville, N.C., it would have still been illegal under the current circumstances. The judge emphasized that there is no longer any question about whether the termination was lawful or not. This decision comes as part of two ongoing lawsuits related to Lake’s efforts to dismantle VOA and its federal parent agency. In his ruling, Judge Lamberth referred to Abramowitz’s attempted firing as “yet another twist in the saga of the U.S Agency for Global Media’s efforts to dial back the operations of Voice of America contrary to statutory requirements.” Abramowitz is among the plaintiffs suing Lake and the agency, expressing his gratitude towards Judge Lamberth’s ruling. This decision highlights the importance of maintaining independence in media organizations like VOA, ensuring that they are not subjected to political pressures or interference from government officials. In conclusion, this ruling serves as a significant victory for freedom of speech and journalistic integrity within the United States. It sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of their position in the administration. The decision also underscores the need for continued vigilance when it comes to protecting our media institutions from political influence or manipulation.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/08/28/nx-s1-5521328/judge-kari-lake-voice-of-america-firing-judge-ruling)
#federal
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