NPR Sues Trump Over Order to Cut Public Media Funding
NPR is taking the Trump administration to court after the former president signed an executive order cutting all federal funding to public broadcasters, including NPR and PBS. The order instructs agencies to stop not only direct support of the broadcasters, but also to root out any indirect public financing. In its announcement, the White House accused the networks of using “millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”
NPR, along with several public radio stations, filed the lawsuit in federal court, calling the order a violation of the First Amendment and an attempt to control press coverage. The complaint says the move to cut federal funding “expressly aims to punish and control Plaintiffs’ news coverage and other speech the Administration deems ‘biased.’” NPR argues that the decision undermines a public radio system millions rely on for essential information.
PBS President Paula Kerger warned earlier that slashing funding would “disrupt the essential service PBS and local member stations provide.” Trump’s administration has made similar moves before, targeting various cultural and educational institutions. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which oversees funding, has also filed suit over Trump’s attempt to fire board members, arguing he overstepped his authority.
