NPR Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration's Federal Funding Executive Order
National Public Radio (NPR) has filed a lawsuit against President Trump in federal court, challenging his executive order to cease federal funding for nonprofit broadcasters. The lawsuit, filed alongside three member stations, argues that the order violates First Amendment protections and Congressional authority.
NPR headquarters building exterior
Photo Credit: James Cridland / CC by 2.0
NPR claims the executive order specifically targets news coverage deemed "biased" by the administration and threatens the public radio system that millions of Americans depend on. The broadcasters seek to have the order permanently blocked and declared unconstitutional.
Key points about NPR's funding structure:
- Member station fees provide 30% of NPR's funding
- Corporate sponsorships account for 36%
- Only 1% comes directly from federal government
- Local stations receive federal funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)
NPR CEO Katherine Maher emphasized that the order threatens not just NPR's funding but the entire public media ecosystem. She noted that many stations rely heavily on NPR programming for listener engagement and fundraising success.
The White House maintains that the CPB uses taxpayer money to support partisan media. However, the lawsuit counters that Congress recognizes publicly funded speech remains private and protected from government interference.
The broadcasters argue the order represents "textbook retaliation and viewpoint-based discrimination" that violates First Amendment rights protecting free speech and journalistic independence.