Trump ally gets blowback for attacking GOP judge who ruled against her: 'Keep losing'
Donald Trump appointee Kari Lake vowed to fight a ruling by an "activist" judge, but an insider was quick to point out that the judge was appointed by Ronald Reagan.
Lake's actions in office were ruled "void" on Saturday after a conservative judge found that she was "illegally elevated." She was put in charge of the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) by Trump, and soon went down a path of trying to systematically destroy her own agency.
Then, as part of a lawsuit brought against Lake, a judge has ruled that she was improperly put in charge.
David Folkenflik reported that Lake told NPR that "she will appeal Judge Lamberth's ruling, invoking what she says is President Trump's mandate to cut waste in spending."
"An activist judge is trying to stand in the way of those efforts at USAGM," she said in a statement.
But ex-GOP lawmaker Barbara Comstock was quick to point out how ridiculous that notion is.
Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the suit, also weighed in:
"Today is a win in the fight against autocracy. The court confirmed what we have long known: Kari Lake took over not to lead U.S. Agency for Global Media, but to dismantle it. Not only are Lake's actions contrary to the mandate of Congress, but the president's installation of her at the agency without Senate confirmation also violated the Constitution. Voice of America has played a critical role since World War II to combat misinformation and disinformation, often promulgated by the world’s autocrats. This decision is a powerful affirmation of the rule of law and comes as threats to democracy loom not only around the world, but here at home. The court’s action protects federal media professionals across the Voice of America and affirms the power of independent journalism."
Perryman further added that, "We are honored to have represented workers, unions and journalists in resisting this administration's power grab."