WASHINGTON — Kari Lake, a staunch loyalist to former President Donald Trump, has overseen significant disruption and financial waste during her 11 months as the de facto leader of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), according to current and former agency staff and a recent report. While pursuing unsuccessful bids for office in Arizona and seeking favor with Trump, Lake’s tenure has been marked by the sidelining of experienced journalists, the cancellation of vital programming, and a potential legal quagmire stemming from questions about her authority.
Lake’s appointment as “special adviser” to the USAGM, which runs Voice of America (VOA) and other international broadcasters, circumvented the typical Senate confirmation process. Trump, seeking to install a loyalist at the agency, removed enough members of the bipartisan board overseeing USAGM to prevent a quorum, effectively allowing Lake to assume power without formal approval. She later styled herself as “deputy CEO” and then “acting CEO,” despite admitting in a sworn deposition that she possessed no documentation confirming the latter appointment, according to reporting from The Atlantic.
Once in place, Lake initiated a series of changes that current and former staffers describe as damaging to the agency’s mission of providing independent news reporting around the world. She ceded influence to Chinese and Russian state media by allowing their broadcasts to fill slots vacated by canceled U.S. Programs, hampered the U.S. Government’s ability to inform foreign audiences during crises, and blocked Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) from using USAGM transmission equipment, impacting their coverage during protests and internet blackouts in Iran, as detailed in The Atlantic report.
The suspension of VOA’s Spanish-language service, which once reached tens of millions in Latin America, prevented crucial information dissemination during the U.S. Military’s intervention in Venezuela. Lake also initiated the firing of approximately 500 VOA contractors, many of whom were experienced journalists with specialized language skills and regional expertise. These actions led to the shutdown of numerous programs and a significant loss of institutional knowledge.
The financial implications of Lake’s actions are substantial. A minority report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations estimates that, between March 15 and July 18 alone, USAGM paid over $69 million to hundreds of employees placed on paid administrative leave. As of August, over 500 employees remained on leave, continuing to receive salaries and benefits while being barred from performing their duties. A judge subsequently blocked further attempts to fire them, and the cost has continued to rise, potentially reaching over $50 million since September, according to The Atlantic.
Lake’s decisions extended beyond personnel, and programming. She abruptly canceled a lease for a new USAGM headquarters, potentially exposing the agency to significant financial liabilities. The previous agreement included substantial savings and benefits, but Lake’s team did not follow proper termination procedures, potentially leading to a costly legal battle with the building’s owner.
Despite the turmoil, Lake has continued to express loyalty to Trump, maintaining a constant stream of praise for him on social media. In October, she was reportedly seen waiting in a White House lobby, seeking his endorsement for a potential congressional run, according to two GOP operatives. However, she received little encouragement, and has since purchased a condo in Iowa, potentially signaling a shift in her political ambitions, as reported by MS Now.
Congress recently rejected Lake’s requests to drastically cut funding to USAGM, allocating a level of funding closer to previous levels. While Lake retains the ability to influence the agency, her efforts to dismantle it have so far been unsuccessful. The agency remains embroiled in legal challenges, and the full financial cost of her tenure is still unfolding.
