Trump move to bar funding for NPR, PBS stopped by court

Trump move to bar funding for NPR, PBS stopped by court

A federal judge intervened to halt a Trump executive order aimed at cutting funding for NPR and PBS. The directive, issued in May, sought to redirect public broadcasting funds away from these entities. However, US District Judge Randolph Moss declared it unlawful, citing constitutional concerns.

In a separate ruling, an appeals court panel temporarily halted a federal judge’s order requiring the Trump administration to recall VOA employees from leave. The initial decision by Judge Royce C. Lamberth had mandated the return of hundreds of employees, but the appeals court’s suspension delayed its enforcement.

“It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints the President does not like and seeks to squelch,” wrote Moss, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama.

Trump’s executive order, signed last May, instructed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease funding to NPR and PBS, either directly or through indirect means. The president also enacted a July package that canceled $1.1 billion in allocated funds for public broadcasting. These actions have drawn criticism from supporters, who claim the media outlets exhibit liberal bias.

“Moss’ decision is a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge attempting to undermine the law,” stated White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.

Despite the court’s intervention, the future of the funding cuts remains uncertain. The ruling is likely to face appeals, and the broader implications for the public-broadcasting system could persist. To view this video, please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.