A federal judge has ruled that actions taken to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) were unlawful, finding that Kari Lake lacked the legal authority to carry them out.

In a decision issued Saturday, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth determined that Lake, who was selected by President Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, did not have the statutory or constitutional authority to act in that role. The court emphasized that she had not been confirmed by the Senate, and therefore could not exercise the powers of a principal officer under federal law.

“Only the Appointments Clause or the Vacancies Act’s exclusive structure may authorize service as a principal officer,” Lamberth wrote, adding that Lake met the requirements of neither.

The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by VOA White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara, along with journalists Kate Neeper and Jessica Jerreat, who were among those laid off amid sweeping cuts to the organization. They challenged the legality of the restructuring, which had left VOA operating with a skeleton staff and broadcasting in only a limited number of languages.

Voice of America, established during World War II, has long been considered a key instrument of U.S. “soft power,” providing independent news coverage to regions where press freedom is restricted. Critics of the cuts argued that dismantling the organization weakened a longstanding global media presence.

In a joint statement, the plaintiffs said they felt “vindicated and deeply grateful,” calling the ruling “a powerful step toward undoing the damage” inflicted on the institution. However, they noted that uncertainty remains for many employees whose careers have been left in limbo.

Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders also welcomed the decision. Clayton Weimers, executive director of its North American branch, said the ruling confirmed that the actions taken against VOA were unlawful and underscored the importance of defending press freedom.

Lake sharply criticized the decision, calling it “bogus” and vowing to appeal. In a statement, she argued that the administration had a mandate to reduce government spending and reform federal agencies, accusing the court of obstructing those efforts.

The immediate impact of the ruling on VOA’s operations remains unclear, as legal challenges and potential appeals are expected to continue.