US judge rules Trump’s move to end CPB funding to PBS, NPR was ‘unlawful’

A federal judge in the US has blocked an executive order made by president Donald Trump last year that directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to stop providing funding to public broadcaster PBS and National Public Radio (NPR).

Paula Kerger

US district judge Randolph Moss of the District Court for the District of Columbia has said Trump’s order, signed last year, was “unlawful and unenforceable” and violated the First Amendment.

Moss made the ruling on the grounds that the First Amendment “does not tolerate viewpoint discrimination and retaliation of this type.” The judge issued an injunction barring the implementation of the executive order.

“It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the President does not like and seeks to squelch,” he wrote.

The ruling comes after Trump last year signed a law that clawed back US$1.1bn in funding earmarked for PBS and NPR until 2027.

Given that most CPB staff left in the autumn and the organisation was officially dissolved in January 2026, it is unclear what the next steps will be. It also appears likely that the White House will lodge an appeal against the ruling to get it overturned.

In his ruling, Moss acknowledged that some of the issues at hand were “moot” as the CPB had already ceased operations.

“The CPB no longer exists, and no court order declaring the executive order unlawful as applied to the CPB can afford NPR, PBS or their member stations any meaningful relief. But that does not end the matter because the executive order sweeps beyond the CPB,” said Moss.

PBS, which is led by president and CEO Paula Kerger, welcomed news of Moss’s decision. “As we argued, and Judge Moss ruled, the executive order is textbook unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliation, in violation of longstanding First Amendment principles,” it said.

“At PBS, we will continue to do what we’ve always done: serve our mission to educate and inspire all Americans as the nation’s most trusted media institution.”

In its own statement, the White House called the decision a “ridiculous ruling by an activist judge attempting to undermine the law.”

It added: “NPR and PBS have no right to receive taxpayer funds, and Congress already voted to defund them. The Trump administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.”