US, Kari Lake Must Disburse $12 Million to Radio Free Europe

The US Agency for Global Media must disperse more than $12 million in congressionally appropriated funds to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted RFE/RL’s motion for a temporary restraining order in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, according to a memorandum order. USAGM and its acting CEO Kari Lake must disburse the funds to cover the non-governmental organization’s expenditures for the month of April.

Radio Free Europe is likely to succeed on the merits of its suit and sufficiently demonstrated irreparable harm, Lamberth wrote. The balance of the equities and public interest also favor RFE/RL, the judge said.

USAGM’s actions upend the “longstanding relationship between the parties and disregards RFE/RL’s significant reliance interests, sounding the death knell for RFE/RL—a 75-year-old, statutorily created, congressionally funded entity,” Lamberth said.

Lamberth also wrote that he won’t stay this order pending an appeal, as a stay would “defeat the purpose” of the relief.

Covington & Burling LLP represents RFE/RL.

The case is RFE/RL Inc. v. Lake, D.D.C., No. 1:25-cv-00799, memorandum order 4/29/25.