President Donald Trump has nominated Sarah Rogers, the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, to serve as the next CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the State Department confirmed Thursday. Rogers, known for leading Washington's pushback against European internet regulations the administration views as censorship, would oversee government-funded international broadcasters such as Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — outlets that collectively reach hundreds of millions of people in authoritarian countries across 64 languages.
The nomination comes after U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth issued a summary judgment over the weekend against actions taken by Kari Lake, whom Trump had appointed as a senior adviser and acting head of the agency. The court sided with VOA journalists and a federal employee union, ruling that Lake's appointment and subsequent staff reductions violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and the Constitution's Appointments Clause. Lake defended her tenure on social media, claiming her restructuring efforts had been so impactful that opponents resorted to legal action to reverse them.
While Rogers awaits Senate confirmation, Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas will serve as interim CEO, according to a Department of Justice court filing. The State Department emphasized that Rogers is well-suited for the position, noting that the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy has historically held consultative authority over USAGM, and that aligning international broadcasting more closely with American public diplomacy serves the national interest.
If confirmed, Rogers would inherit an agency still navigating significant operational and legal turbulence following months of sweeping personnel cuts. The appointment signals the Trump administration's continued intent to reshape how the United States delivers news and information to global audiences living under authoritarian regimes.


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