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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Sunday, October 05, 2025

Judge rebukes Kari Lake in court filing alleging blatant contempt in push to cut 500-plus VOA jobs The Reagan appointee ruled that Lake and her agency have until Oct. 14 to show that their plans to reduce the Voice of America workforce are legal.

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JUST IN: Judge Lamberth has *blocked* a new wave of terminations at Voice of America, offering harsh words for Kari Lake and saying the Trump administration's conduct in his case would support civil contempt proceedings, if only the plaintiffs had asked. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us ...

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-- Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social) Sep 29, 2025 at 8:39 PM

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"Lake, a former local news anchor-turned-failed political candidate in Arizona, has effectively tried to gut USAGM since Donald Trump selected her to run the agency this year.

Lake and the Trump administration had been moving forward with plans to lay off the VOA employees " in defiance of a court-ordered demand that the agency comply with established processes to carry out the cuts.

In light of that, U.S. District Judge Royce Lambert found himself in a scenario similar to that of the judges who oversaw Lake's dubious election-related lawsuits as a candidate: having to take her to task. The Reagan appointee's ruling blocked the firings for now and described Lake's actions as potential contempt of court:

The Court must offer an observation on the concerning disrespect the defendants have shown toward the Court's orders since the entry of the preliminary injunction. It is the Court's view that the defendants' disregard for its earlier orders to produce information would more than support a trial on civil contempt.

""

Lambert said Lake's agency was resistant when it was asked to provide information about its plans to fire the employees. He also said that after he handed down his injunction, officials falsely claimed to the court they hadn't made any decisions on job cuts when evidence showed they were already moving forward."

In a statement to The Washington Post, Lake said: "I've seen a huge disrespect' from the district courts toward the Executive Branch and the American people who have voted overwhelmingly to support President Donald J. Trump."

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-01 06:06 PM | Reply

"Lake, a former local news anchor-turned-failed political candidate in Arizona, has effectively tried to gut USAGM since Donald Trump selected her to run the agency this year.

Lake and the Trump administration had been moving forward with plans to lay off the VOA employees " in defiance of a court-ordered demand that the agency comply with established processes to carry out the cuts.

In light of that, U.S. District Judge Royce Lambert found himself in a scenario similar to that of the judges who oversaw Lake's dubious election-related lawsuits as a candidate: having to take her to task. The Reagan appointee's ruling blocked the firings for now and described Lake's actions as potential contempt of court:

The Court must offer an observation on the concerning disrespect the defendants have shown toward the Court's orders since the entry of the preliminary injunction. It is the Court's view that the defendants' disregard for its earlier orders to produce information would more than support a trial on civil contempt.

""

Lambert said Lake's agency was resistant when it was asked to provide information about its plans to fire the employees. He also said that after he handed down his injunction, officials falsely claimed to the court they hadn't made any decisions on job cuts when evidence showed they were already moving forward."

In a statement to The Washington Post, Lake said: "I've seen a huge disrespect' from the district courts toward the Executive Branch and the American people who have voted overwhelmingly to support President Donald J. Trump."

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-01 06:06 PM | Reply

oopsy!! - *best Laura voice

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2025-10-01 06:07 PM | Reply

Ok. She's in contempt. Now what?

#4 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-10-02 10:33 AM | Reply

"Blatant Contempt"

That's a Feature.
Not a Bug.
--Republicans

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-05 10:39 AM | Reply

How about telling us why it's illegal ------- clown judge. I know why you can't, because it isn't.

These dorks actually think that government waste and inefficiency, once started, must remain. It's crazy town.

#6 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-10-05 10:50 AM | Reply

"How about telling us why it's illegal"

You know why.
It violates the laws written by Congress.
Congress could re-convene and write new laws.
Republicans have a majority, it would surely pass.

Of course, then the Epstein Files would come out.
And you wouldn't want that.

#7 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-10-05 10:54 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"How about telling us why it's illegal ------- clown judge."

Because people (employees) also have rights?

How about explaining to us why you think Kari Lake is qualified to make these kind of decisions that affect people's lives and careers this way when she can't even follow the law?

#8 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-05 11:14 AM | Reply

Ok. She's in contempt. Now what?

#4 | POSTED BY FEDUPWITHPOLS

I believe a stern warning letter from democrats is warranted.

And maybe a nice AI generated video that makes fun of her.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-10-05 04:38 PM | Reply

...have until Oct. 14 to show that their plans to reduce the Voice of America workforce are legal.

Prove it's not legal, mm-kay?

#10 | Posted by fishmarket at 2025-10-05 05:23 PM | Reply

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