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First Amendment · Government Funding · Judicial Ruling · Media
A federal judge, Randolph Moss, blocked President Trump's executive order to cease federal funding for NPR and PBS, ruling the directive unconstitutional as it violated the First Amendment by suppressing disfavored expression.
President Trump's May 1, 2025, executive order aimed to cut funding for NPR and PBS, deeming it "outdated," "unnecessary," and "corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence." Congress approved a plan in July to rescind $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for the next two fiscal years, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Judge Moss declared the order "unlawful and unenforceable." The CPB, established in 1967, received a $535 million federal appropriation in 2025, supporting over 1,500 local stations.
Public media also relies on $1.3 billion in annual charitable donations. The White House spokesperson called the decision "a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge," and an appeal is expected, which will extend the legal battle.
Judge Blocks Trump's Public Media Funding Cut(current)
