New York (AP) – National Public Radio, alongside three of its local stations, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, he asserted that funds aimed at reducing presidential directives are being misused by the 246-station network, which he claims violates freedom of speech and relies on powers he does not possess.
Earlier this month, Trump directed that NPR and PBS suspend all federal funding, either directly or indirectly, for public broadcasting and related federal agencies. The president and his allies contend that the news coverage provided by these organizations exhibits liberal bias and should not be funded by taxpayers.
The lawsuit claims that retaliation is Trump’s clear intention. The entities involved, including Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Radio, and Kute, Inc., submitted the case to federal courts in Washington.
“The executive order is trying to compel NPR to conform its journalistic standards and editorial choices to government preferences to keep receiving federal funds,” stated NPR CEO Katherine Maher on Tuesday.
Trump claims to be targeting private nonprofits, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit argues that Trump is violating the principles upheld by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private, nonprofit organization established to allocate federal funds to NPR and PBS and designed to insulate them from political influence. Congress has allocated $535 million annually to CPB for the fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027.
In response to the lawsuit, White House assistant reporter Harrison Fields stated that CPB “creates media to support certain parties using taxpayer dollars,” arguing that Trump is acting within his legal authority. “The President is elected with a mandate to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer funds and will continue to exercise his legitimate authority to uphold that commitment,” Fields added.
Trump has been vocal about his views on NPR, previously labeling it a “liberal disinformation machine” in a social media post from April.
The leaders of NPR and PBS appeared to be strategically prepared, as both responded to Trump’s actions. Earlier this month, they issued a statement declaring his directives illegal. Notably, PBS was not included in Tuesday’s lawsuit, suggesting that the two organizations might pursue legal action separately. PBS has not yet filed suit but may do so in the near future.
“PBS will evaluate all potential pathways, including pursuing legal options, to ensure continued provision of essential programming and services to member stations and all Americans,” remarked PBS spokesman Jeremy Gaines on Tuesday.
Trump is entangled in other legal disputes with news organizations
The president’s efforts to dismantle government-operated news organizations like American Voice and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty have also ignited legal battles.
The administration has waged disputes with various press outlets. The Federal Communications Commission is currently investigating ABC, CBS, and NBC News. The Associated Press has proceeded to court following the administration’s restrictions on access to certain events after the organization refused to change its name as ordered regarding the Gulf of Mexico Bay.
The lawsuit indicates that 11% of Aspen Public Radio’s budget comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, while 6% of Colorado Public Radio’s 19-station network budget is sourced from it. Coot’s budget, established in 1976 by the Southern Ute Indian Tribes, is similarly impacted.
NPR emphasizes that the order threatens the use of federal funds for various essential programming, including “All Things Considered,” the country’s most popular afternoon radio news show, its morning counterpart, “Morning Edition,” and cultural programs like Small Desk Concert.
The lawsuit claims this order “directly interferes” with editorial independence by imposing alternative programming requirements.
NPR asserts that it provides crucial infrastructure services to hundreds of public radio stations, services that are essential for maintaining coverage areas and supporting emergency alert systems nationwide.
“Public broadcasting forms the irreplaceable foundation of American civic life,” stated Maher. “At its best, it offers our nation a reflection of itself amid our complexities, contradictions, and commonalities, connecting communities across divides.”
___
David Bauder covers the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him on http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social.
Source: apnews.com