by Matthew Holloway | Sep 26, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The full deposition of Kari Lake, acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), was unsealed and filed publicly on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. In the September 9th questioning from plaintiffs’ lawyers in lawsuits challenging layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, Lake dismantled the narratives woven by the terminated staffers in outlets like the Washington Post and NPR.
Lake has been accused of “gutting” VOA through alleged illegal firings and union-busting. The headlines painted a scene of “fearful journalists” and “dismantling” America’s global voice, framing the cuts as a political purge in defiance of court orders. However, Lake’s sworn testimony tells a different story.
In the 549-page transcript, Lake coolly describes a deliberate, team-driven effort to comply with President Trump’s March 14, 2025, Executive Order “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” which mandated slashing agencies like USAGM to their “statutory minimum” within seven days, as previously reported by AZ Free News.
“I effectuated — I got busy working to effectuate the President’s executive order,” Lake stated plainly during the deposition, responding to questions about her rapid response to the EO. Far from the “unaware” operative depicted in the Post’s coverage—which claimed she learned of the order “the day of” and blindsided staff—Lake described proactive preparations based on “rumblings” and immediate collaboration with career officials.
“We made the decision to determine what (the) statutory minimum was, and in the process of doing that, we worked with the senior leadership at the agency to come up with what our plan would be. We placed everybody on paid leave and worked with senior leadership, career leadership, and they came up with the plan.”
This new information decisively counters the union-led narrative of a “union-busting attack on workers’ First Amendment rights,” as put forth by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and amplified by Politico. Lake emphasized that reductions in force (RIFs) affecting hundreds were “the same process that went into the first one,” guided by non-partisan experts, such as Victor Morales, a 36-year agency veteran.
“This was an agency decision based on everything that’s led up to [it],” she added, rejecting any indications of personal retaliation. These firings also included a subsequent round after an August 28 executive order excluded the USAGM from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program.
The deposition also highlighted Lake’s repeated warnings about foreign infiltration plaguing USAGM, which were emphasized during her congressional testimony with Congressman Abe Hamadeh in June. “This place is rotten. It’s rotten to the core,” she told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “President Trump has asked me to go in and help clean it up, and he’s also issued an executive order to reduce this agency down to its mandate, to what is mandated, statutorily required. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I don’t care if they attack me.”
Media critics have dismissed her findings as fearmongering to justify cuts, but under oath, Lake was firm, identifying “massive national security violations, including spies and terrorist sympathizers and/or supporters infiltrating the agency, eye-popping self-dealing involving contracts, grants, and high-value settlement agreements…”
Pressed on her posts to social media stating that “the CCP has infiltrated VOA and you are paying for it,” Lake confirmed her statement without hesitation, saying simply, “Yes.” When asked about Chinese Communist Party (CCP) meetings with VOA managers to shape coverage, she replied, “In the past, they have.”
These revelations appear to fly in the face of NPR’s portrayal of Lake’s reforms as baseless paranoia endangering journalists abroad, with reporters “fearful” over visa revocations amid supposed “lax security” excuses.
Instead, Lake clearly laid out the overhaul as a mission to restore integrity: “I think it’s important to effectuate the President’s executive order and make sure that what we’re putting out is honest, truthful reporting.”
She highlighted fiscal wins, like canceling an “obscenely expensive 15-year lease that burdened the taxpayers,” and anticipated operating “above the originally proposed statutory minimum” while adhering to the law.
The lawsuits, Widakuswara et al. v. Lake and Abramowitz et al. v. Lake, both stem from the firing of VOA staff and former VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, whom Lake attempted to reassign before a judge intervened to block it. But Lake invoked executive privilege on White House chats and stressed the EO’s clarity: “In the executive order, it says right here in Section 2(a), ‘such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.'”
Along that same line of reasoning, Solicitor General of the United States D. John Sauer announced in late August that the Department of Justice is prepared to defend the removal of Abramowitz from his position writing, “Under Article II, inferior executive officers must be removable at will by the President or by a department head acting on the President’s behalf.”
As Lake navigates the legal hurdles raised before her, her deposition emerges as a counter to the media narrative. While outlets like the Washington Post describe “contentious court battles” and “radical cuts,” Lake’s testimony underscores a lawful cleanup of a bloated, fatally infiltrated bureaucracy. She summarized the situation best, saying, “The President put out an executive order calling for the reduction to the statutory minimum,” and “it was the decision of the team, the senior leadership team, that we needed to follow the President’s executive order.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 25, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) sharply admonished Sen. Mark Kelly on social media Tuesday after the Tucson Democrat announced his Monday night appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Some critics online are accusing Kelly of angling for a 2028 White House run while neglecting his Senate duties, echoing similar concerns about Senator Ruben Gallego’s Iowa town hall this summer.
In a post to X, Kelly wrote, “Always a privilege to be on the @ColbertLateShow! Tune in tonight on CBS to see my conversation with @StephenAtHome.”
This move followed Colbert’s trivializing of the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC after that host made offensive remarks following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and amidst a tense congressional standoff that could lead to a government shutdown.
Sharing Sen. Kelly’s post to X, Ciscomani openly admonished him, writing, “Or, how about actually doing some *real* work, Senator? Avoiding a disastrous government shutdown is in the hands of Senate Democrats. Late-night TV interviews aren’t going to help make sure our border agents get paid, or keep the Grand Canyon open.”
He added, “This guy is AZ’s Senior Senator,” before following up with a reminder of Kelly’s duty to Arizona with a stern command: “Do. Your. Job.”
Nick Field of PoliticsPA pointed to Democrats feeling out a 2028 presidential run by “guesting” on Colbert throughout the week, writing, “Three potential 2028 Democratic candidates are guesting on Colbert this week: Mark Kelly on Tuesday, Gavin Newsom on Wednesday and Chris Murphy on Thursday.”
During the interview with Colbert, Kelly used about half of his time in the spotlight joining the host in bashing President Trump, telling Colbert he wishes that a Republican would “grow a spine and do something publicly,” about “the President and how he conducts himself.” He even attempted to lay the blame for the likely upcoming shutdown at the President’s feet.
“Let me make this perfectly clear to everybody. This is a fight over the cost of your health care,” Kelly claimed. “That’s all this is about. The president says no. He says he would prefer a government shutdown.”
The conversation with Colbert quickly turned to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, framed in Sen. Kelly’s experiences surrounding the attempted assassination of his wife, former Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in 2011.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 23, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Republican and conservative leaders gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sunday for the Charlie Kirk Memorial, describing a unified scene filled with worship music and a spirit of revival.
In a radio appearance with James T. Harris of the Conservative Circus on 550 KFYI, Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ08) set the scene, telling the host, “James, the energy and the atmosphere was incredible. You know, Charlie was this 31-year-old man. His life was taken so short. Yet, you see so many people coming in, and there’s a sense of revival there, right? I mean the whole service was perfectly executed by Turning Point, especially given the quick turn around. I mean my God, they filled State Farm Stadium plus Desert Financial Credit Union Arena or Desert Diamond Area, rather, just across the street. So, you have almost 100,000 or over 100,000 people celebrat[ing] the life of Charlie Kirk. And it wasn’t just a political rally, James. I mean there was a prayer, there was worship music. I mean…the energy was different than any other rally I’ve been to.”
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Monday, Acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media Kari Lake said the feeling at the event was, “Definitely unity.”
She explained, “We were there to remember a friend, a great patriot, a great American, a great Christian, and it was extraordinary. I mean, the whole event started with hours of worship music by the biggest, you know, performers in Christian music…Getting there… was… it was almost impossible. I mean, every road going in was filled with standstill traffic, and people were walking from miles away.”
Lake added, “This was a group of Americans who love this country, a patriotic group, many of whom were Christians, all of whom love Charlie Kirk for the strong message he shared, for the peaceful way that he spread the word of our Constitution and our freedoms. And even the politicians that were there were talking about that. We’ve got to start coming together as a country, and that doesn’t mean we give up what we believe in, but we can no longer tolerate the crime, the violence that is coming at us, and we’ve sat down and taken it for a long time. Now we’re standing up, and we refuse to take it.”
Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) shared images to X from the event and wrote, “Charlie lived by prioritizing his faith — and he did so without hesitation while inspiring many. This allowed our youth the courage to lead with their faith and have a political position based on who you are as a person and what you believe in your heart. It’s a very important message. Today’s service is a reflection of who Charlie was — centered on his beliefs with strong conservative values.”
During the memorial, Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ02) shared a personal anecdote about his friendship with Kirk, writing, “Darkness will never be able to overcome light. There may be moments where it appears that all is lost. This story we live in will have many more dark moments, and I can promise you this, light will ultimately overcome it all.”
He added, “I’m grateful to have been able to call Charlie a friend. He inspired me and so many others. He showed us that places like academia weren’t lost but void of light. He became that light and started a movement that will eclipse in his death what he built in life. Though we will miss our friend and true patriot. We will never forget him, and we will carry on the work that fueled him. To be bold, speak truth, and point others to Christ.”
Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen shared photos from the memorial, commenting, “With tens of thousands ready to remember, honor, and celebrate the life of Charlie Kirk. Never seen anything like this.”
State Senator T.J. Shope (R-LD16) shared them as well and wrote, “Truly amazing sights coming out of State Farm Stadium today! We’re watching at home like millions of others but am glad @votewarren and thousands of others are in the building to pay respects to the great @charliekirk11!”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 23, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego is postponing town hall meetings in Tucson and Yuma and canceling one in Nevada, citing security concerns and alleged threats to his life. Gallego announced the cancellation just days after the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk in Utah.
Gallego’s office told AZCentral that they have received threatening phone calls and that the senator’s social media accounts have received threatening posts and messages. The threats have been reported to the U.S. Capitol Police, according to Gallego’s team.
Gallego’s Press Secretary, Taylor Tasler, told KAWC in an emailed statement, “This was not a decision made lightly, and as Senator Gallego has said, we need to condemn all political violence. Unfortunately, out of an abundance of caution due to recent security threats.”
Gallego said in a statement, “I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped plan these events and to the Arizonans who were ready to show up, but I do not want to put anyone’s safety at risk. I remain committed to maintaining freedom of speech in our democracy. Intimidation and violence cannot be allowed in our country.”
Several outlets reported that threats against Gallego ranged from posts to X warning him to “watch his back,” with another saying, “Better watch your six… just sayin.” One message from September 9th reported by AZCentral asked, “How’s your neck feeling? You starting to feel that itchy feeling that the hangman is slowly creeping up behind you?”
The outlet reported that other Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), also canceled public appearances, with two opting to move press conferences scheduled for outdoor venues into the Capitol.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters on September 11th that Congressional leaders are reviewing member security, according to Axios. “We have got to protect people running for public office, or nobody will,” Johnson said.
House Administration Committee ranking member Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) added, “Sadly, these kinds of things I think change peoples’ perspectives in the moment, so I’m sure people will be thinking about it.”
“People are scared to death in this building,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) told Politico Thursday. “I mean, not many of them will say it publicly, but they’re running to the speaker talking about security.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Sep 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The Legislative District 10 Republican Committee in East Mesa has unanimously censured Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury for using her non-partisan office to campaign for Democrats in 2024. The censure also condemned her for voting in favor of allowing men to use women-only facilities.
Spilsbury, who is facing a recall challenge this year, became embroiled in a scandal after making public endorsements of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election, in addition to endorsing Arizona Democrats Congressman Greg Stanton, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, and Senator Ruben Gallego. The recall campaign, supported by Turning Point Action, submitted the 5,000 required voter signatures in May. Spilsbury is facing a challenge for her seat from conservative Dorean Taylor.
The censure from the LD10 Republicans lays out a case against Spilsbury for her endorsements of Harris, Stanton, Fontes, and Gallego despite her membership in the Republican Party, as well as her vote for “a non-discrimination order that allows men in women’s private spaces, and potentially penalizes business owners, forcing them to disregard or contradict their religious convictions and compromise their religious freedom and rights or be fined due to the ordinance,” according to a statement from the Committee.
The Committee also alleges that Spilsbury, “has benefited from her endorsements and publicly announced the offer of support and assistance in the current recall election, including Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego, the Democrat CD4 Representative, Greg Stanton, and the Democrat Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes.”
Spilsbury told Axios in July that the three Arizona Democrats have reached out to her to offer their support in her recall. She openly acknowledged the likely outcome of her endorsement of Harris in the 2024 Presidential election, telling the outlet, “I did what I did with my eyes wide open. I knew it wasn’t going to be popular.”
In the text of the censure, the committee resolved, “The Republican Committee of Legislative District 10 calls on Republican voters in Mesa to heed this vote of no confidence, cease recognition of Recalled Councilwoman Spilsbury as a Republican in good standing and cease support for Julie Spilsbury in any elected or appointed capacity, or future election for any prospective office.”
Earlier this month, the Arizona Freedom Club PAC officially endorsed Dorean Taylor in the Mesa Recall Election. Scot Mussi, Chair of the Arizona Freedom Club PAC said in a statement posted to X, “Dorean Taylor is exactly the kind of leader Mesa needs—someone who will stand up for taxpayers and put families first. Her vision for safer communities, responsible government, and protecting hard-working families from higher taxes aligns with the values we fight for every day.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
