NPR Files Lawsuit Against Trump Over Executive Order Reducing Federal Funding

On Tuesday, National Public Radio (NPR) filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump in response to his recent executive order that halts all federal funding for the nonprofit broadcaster. NPR contends that this order infringes upon the First Amendment rights that protect freedom of speech and the press, and it undermines the authority of Congress.

This legal complaint was submitted in federal court in Washington, D.C., with NPR joined by three other public radio stations: Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and KSUT Public Radio. The lawsuit claims that Trump’s directive threatens the viability of a public radio system that millions of Americans depend on for essential news and information.

In their filing, the organizations seek a permanent injunction against Trump’s order, arguing that it is aimed at punishing news coverage that the administration perceives as biased. The attorneys representing NPR and its affiliates assert that the executive order cannot be upheld.

Previously, NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) had committed to contesting Trump’s assertion that government-funded news is both outdated and detrimental to journalistic independence. Established in 1970, NPR employs hundreds of journalists who broadcast their work through more than 1,000 local stations.

While NPR once received substantial federal funding directly, a shift in the 1980s altered this arrangement. Currently, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) channels federal funds to local stations, which purchase NPR programming.

According to NPR, only 1% of its revenue now derives directly from the government, with corporate sponsorship accounting for the largest share at 36%. In response to the lawsuit, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields stated that the president’s actions are a lawful exercise of authority aimed at ensuring efficient taxpayer dollar usage, alleging that CPB supports media which politically aligns with a particular party.

The lawsuit emphasizes that Congress has long acknowledged that public funding for speech should remain protected from governmental interference. It argues that Trump’s order constitutes retaliation and viewpoint discrimination, undermining the First Amendment rights of NPR and the affected radio stations.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comments on the lawsuit.