National Public Radio (NPR) and three of its local stations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a recent executive order that seeks to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., asserts that the order violates constitutional protections, particularly the First Amendment rights of free speech and press, and exceeds the president’s legal authority.
The plaintiffs in the case include NPR and three Colorado public radio entities: Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and KUTE, Inc. (also known as KSUT). According to the lawsuit, the executive order is “textbook retaliation” for coverage the administration deems unfavorable. It alleges that the Trump administration is targeting the public broadcasters because the president believes their content is biased. The legal filing cites a quote from the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia: “This wolf comes as a wolf,” emphasizing that the retaliatory intent behind the order is overt.
President Trump’s executive order, issued in early May, instructs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and other federal agencies to halt all federal funding to NPR and PBS. In response, NPR CEO Katherine Maher stated, “This is retaliatory, viewpoint-based discrimination in violation of the First Amendment.” Maher added that NPR “will not compromise our commitment to an independent free press and journalistic integrity.”
The CPB, a private nonprofit created by Congress to distribute federal funding to public media, is also separately suing the Trump administration over a related directive. The CPB has asserted that it is not subject to presidential control.
NPR’s lawsuit argues that by conditioning federal support on the content of programming, the administration is trying to coerce NPR into changing its editorial decisions. NPR claims that this infringes on its journalistic independence and compromises its ability to provide essential information.
White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields defended the order, stating CPB “is creating media to support a particular political party on the taxpayers’ dime.” He added that the president was elected to ensure efficient use of public funds and is acting within his lawful authority.
The financial impact of the order could be significant. While NPR directly receives about 1% of its funding from CPB, many member stations rely more heavily on federal support. According to the lawsuit, Aspen Public Radio receives 11% of its budget from CPB, Colorado Public Radio receives 6%, and KUTE receives 19%.
As the legal battle unfolds, PBS has not joined the lawsuit but stated it is “considering every option, including taking legal action” to maintain its services for the American public.
Additional Reading
NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut federal funding to public media, AP News (May 27, 2025)
NPR and Colorado public radio stations sue Trump White House, NPR (May 27, 2025)
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