President Donald Trump has nominated Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers to serve as CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees U.S.-funded international broadcasters like Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The nomination, announced Thursday, follows a federal judge's ruling that invalidated staff cuts and other actions taken by prior appointee Kari Lake.
Rogers, who has led the administration's efforts against European Internet regulations viewed by Washington as censorship, would hold the role in addition to her current State Department position if confirmed by the Senate. A State Department spokesperson stated that her dual oversight would strengthen alignment between U.S. international broadcasting and public diplomacy efforts.
In the interim, Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas will perform the CEO duties, according to a Department of Justice court filing.
Reuters reports the nomination comes after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted summary judgment Saturday in favor of plaintiffs—including Voice of America journalists and a federal employee union—ruling that Lake's appointment as acting CEO and her subsequent actions violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution's Appointments Clause. Lake, a Trump appointee who served as a senior adviser before taking on acting CEO responsibilities, had implemented sweeping staff reductions and operational changes across the agency's outlets, which broadcast in 64 languages to audiences in repressive regimes.
Lake responded on X, describing her "right-sizing" efforts as highly effective and claiming opposition from the "Deep State," including "malicious lawsuits" against her and the agency.The USAGM mission focuses on providing independent news to populations in oppressive countries, reaching hundreds of millions worldwide. Rogers' nomination requires Senate confirmation before she can assume the CEO role.