NPR Takes Legal Action Against Trump’s Funding Cut, Defending 1st Amendment Rights

A coalition of National Public Radio stations has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, aiming to halt an executive order that threatens to sever their federal funding.

The formal complaint, spanning 43 pages, asserts that the order violates congressional intent and First Amendment rights, specifically targeting freedom of speech, the press, and association. This action jeopardizes a public radio system relied upon by millions for crucial news and information.

The executive order instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — which receives congressional appropriations — to stop financial support for both the Public Broadcasting Service and NPR. The directive argues that federal funding for public media is “outdated and unnecessary,” claiming it undermines journalistic independence.

Moreover, the administration has criticized PBS and NPR for allegedly failing to provide a balanced representation of current events, stating that these entities do not deliver a fair or accurate portrayal to taxpayers.

The lawsuit labels the executive order as a form of retaliation and viewpoint discrimination, claiming it infringes upon NPR’s editorial freedom. It highlights that the order seeks to deny critical funding without due process, thus violating the Constitution’s Due Process Clause.

This case has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by NPR along with three Colorado stations: Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, and KSUT Public Radio. The case is presided over by Judge Randolph D. Moss, an Obama appointee.

In a response, White House Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields stated that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is allegedly creating media to support a particular political viewpoint at taxpayers’ expense. He argued that the President has a legitimate mandate to ensure judicious use of taxpayer resources.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, while established as a nonprofit organization, provides grants to over 1,500 public radio and television stations across the U.S. It is essential to note that Congress has consistently backed its funding, which currently stands at $535 million.

The lawsuit posits that a complete loss of funding from the Corporation would be disastrous for NPR, emphasizing that the President lacks constitutional authority to meddle with congressional budgetary decisions. It asserts that financial oversight is a congressional prerogative, and the order infringes upon the constitutional principles of Separation of Powers and the Spending Clause.