Judge: Trump NPR, PBS cuts unconstitutional
By: Stephany Matat
USA Today Network
..... A federal judge said the Trump administration can't enforce the president's order to ax federal funding for National Public Radio and the Pubic Broadcasting Service, saying in a March 31 [2026] decision that the White House can't "extinguish speech" the president dislikes under the First Amendment.
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U.S District Judge Randolph Moss in his ruling said federal agencies can't enforce the "unconstitutional: executive order signed by President Donald Trump last may, [2025] which direct agencies to terminate funding to NPR and PBS. It also directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding the networks, but the corporation was dissolved as of January. [2026]
..... The executive order crossed a line drawn by the First Amendment, said Moss - who was appointed to the Washington, DC, federal court in 2014 by then-President Barack Obama - because it did not sue neutral criteria for federal funding.
..... "Instead, it singles out two speakers and on the basis of their speech, bars them from all federally funded programs," Moss wrote in a 62-page order.
..... The White House has not commented on whether it plans to appeal, but spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in an email that the administration "looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue."
..... "This is a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge attempting to undermine the law," Jackson said. "NPR and PBS have no right to receive taxpayer funds, and Congress alerted voted to defend them."
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An attorney representing NPR, Theodore Boutrous, said the ruling was "a significant victory fur the First Amendment and for freedom of the press."
..... It's unknown whether the judge's order will have much impact because NPR and PBS stations already are facing the consequences of funding hits, with employee layoffs or even full shutdowns, especially at rural station that relied on federal funding to operate.
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Across the country, stations have held funding drives and urged communities to make donations to keep them afloat, but hundreds of jobs have been slashed.
..... "The court made clear that the government cannot sue funding as a lever to influence or penalize the press, whether as a national news service or a local newsroom,: said NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher.
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A PBS spokesperson said they were "thrilled" the judge agreed that Trump's order was "textbook unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliation."
..... This oder comes at a time of increased pressure on media outlets from the Trump administration.
..... It came soon after another federal judge in DC blocked a separate Trump administrator order, which barred news reporters access to the Pentagon. In the lawsuit field by The New York Times, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the policy violated free speech and due process rights.
..... This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum ad Journalism funding Partners.