Judge Blocks Trump’s Order to End Federal Funding for NPR and PBS

A federal judge has permanently blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump that aimed to terminate federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Judge Randolph D. Moss of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled on March 31, 2026, that the directive was unlawful and unenforceable. The court found that the order violated the First Amendment rights of the broadcasters on its face.

The executive order, titled Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Bias Media, was issued in May 2025. It directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to cease federal funding to NPR and PBS, arguing that the entities failed to provide a fair, accurate, or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.

First Amendment Violations

In his ruling, Judge Moss stated that the government cannot use its power, including the power of the purse, to punish or suppress expression that is disfavored by the administration.

The First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power – including the power of the purse – ‘to punish or suppress disfavored expression’ by others.

Judge Randolph D. Moss

The court determined that the order targeted news organizations specifically because of their editorial viewpoints, which constitutes viewpoint discrimination and retaliation.

Judge Moss further noted that while the government is not required to fund media organizations, any existing funding system must be administered in a neutral manner.

Impact on Public Broadcasting

The lawsuit was brought forward by several plaintiffs, including NPR, Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio, and KSUT Public Radio in Ignacio, Colorado.

PBS responded to the ruling with a statement expressing that the executive order was textbook unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliation, affirming their mission to serve as a trusted media institution for all Americans.

Despite the court’s decision to block the executive order, the financial landscape for public broadcasting remains complex. The ruling cannot restore funding that has already been withdrawn through other mechanisms, and Congress has rescinded $1.1 billion to the CPB.

The reliance on federal funding varies across the affected networks:

• NPR receives approximately 1 percent of its funding directly from the federal government, while its 1,300 member stations typically receive between 8 and 10 percent of their support through the CPB.
• PBS and its affiliated stations rely on the CPB for roughly 15 percent of their total revenue.

Media representatives have previously warned that reductions in the federal budget would disproportionately impact rural outlets and regions that are currently underserved by commercial broadcasters.

Previous Legal Developments

This ruling follows a separate legal development in November 2025, where a court settlement required NPR to receive approximately $36 million in government funding to partially resolve a dispute with the CPB.

While the District Court has blocked the implementation of the presidential directive, the administration retains the option to appeal the decision.