A federal judge has thwarted Kari Lake's attempt to dismiss Michael Abramowitz from his role as Director of Voice of America (VOA).
Lake, appointed by President Donald Trump to oversee the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which includes VOA, has been striving to downsize the agency's workforce.
However, Abramowitz has resisted these efforts, asserting that his removal requires the involvement of an advisory board that necessitates Senate confirmation, as reported by The Washington Post. Since March, Abramowitz has been on paid leave.
In January, President Trump dismissed all members of the advisory board, leaving their positions vacant. Lake, currently serving in an interim capacity, has been unable to replace them. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, has upheld Abramowitz's position, emphasizing the procedural requirements for his removal.
"To the extent the Boards current lack of quorum institutes a practical barrier to removing Abramowitz, the Broadcast Act gives the President a straightforward remedy: replacing the removed members," Lamberth stated, according to CNN.
Abramowitz's annual salary was approximately $380,000 in 2024, as noted by ProPublica. Despite the judicial setback, Lake remains resolute in her mission to appeal the decision. "We fully intend to appeal this absurd ruling," she declared, as reported by The Washington Post.
Lake further criticized the judiciary, stating, "Elections have consequences, and President Trump runs the executive branch. I have confidence that the Constitution will eventually be enforced, even if not by Judge Lamberth and other radical district judges."
The conflict escalated on August 1 when John Zadrozny, a senior adviser at USAGM, informed Abramowitz of his impending dismissal after he declined a position at a North Carolina broadcasting station. Lake's determination to streamline VOA and its parent organization has led to legal challenges from Abramowitz, with Judge Lamberth expressing disapproval of her downsizing efforts, describing them as "verging on contempt."
Despite the legal hurdles, Lake remains undeterred in her pursuit of reducing the agency's size. She expressed her frustration with the judicial system, stating, "Of course Ive got a judge here in Washington, D.C. Ive got five cases against me as I try to scale this monster, this beast back and rightsize it."
Lake further remarked, "I mean, Ive got a judge whos threatening me with contempt of court, throwing me in prison, if I dont produce more of the propaganda that he wants me to produce."
The ongoing legal battle underscores the challenges faced by conservative leaders in implementing their vision of a leaner, more efficient government.
As Lake continues her efforts to reshape the USAGM, the outcome of her appeal will be closely watched by those advocating for limited government and fiscal responsibility.
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