A federal judge in the United States blocked on Tuesday, March 31, an order for state financing of public radio and television networks, NPR and PBS, decided by decree by Donald Trump. Last May 1st, the president issued a decree ordering to “cease federal funding of NPR and PBS,” accused by the White House of spreading “left-wing propaganda with taxpayer money.”
This decree was followed by a vote in July by Congress to remove $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which partially supported NPR and PBS. In response to legal action taken by the two public networks, federal judge Randolph Moss in the District of Columbia ruled on Tuesday that the presidential decree was invalid as it violated the first amendment of the American Constitution – protecting freedom of expression.
The judge explained in his ruling that the government can choose what it funds. However, he also stated that it cannot punish media outlets by cutting their funding due to their opinions. “The first amendment draws a line that the government cannot cross: using the power of the state – including financial power – to ‘punish or silence expression it disapproves’ in others,” the judge wrote.
According to him, Donald Trump’s “message” was “clear,” namely that in his view, “NPR and PBS should no longer seek any federal assistance, because the president disapproves of their media coverage deemed ‘left-wing’,” the judge continued.
40 million listeners of the public radio NPR More than 40 million Americans listen to the public radio NPR every week, and 36 million watch a local PBS television network every month, according to estimates from the media outlets. “This is a ridiculous decision made by an activist judge seeking to undermine the law. NPR and PBS have no right to receive public funds, and Congress has already voted to cut their funding,” reacted Abigail Jackson, spokesperson for the White House, to AFP.
Conversely, NPR boss Katherine Maher hailed a “victory” that reaffirms “the rights of a free and independent press.” “Public media exist to serve the general interest of Americans – and not a political agenda or an elected official,” she added. “As we have argued, and as Judge Moss has confirmed, this decree is a textbook case of opinion-based discrimination,” a PBS spokesperson also responded.
Since his return to power in 2025, Donald Trump has intensified his fight against the media he deems hostile, using various political, financial, and legal means.
