(Washington) An American federal judge on Tuesday blocked the end of state funding of the public radio and television networks, NPR and PBS, decided by decree by Donald Trump.
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The 1isLast May, the president issued an executive order ordering to “cease federal funding of NPR and PBS,” accused by the White House of relaying “left-wing propaganda with taxpayer money.”
The executive order was followed by a Congressional vote in July cutting $1.1 billion in funding for the now-defunct Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which contributed in part to the budgets of NPR and PBS.
Seized by the two public networks, a federal judge in the District of Columbia, Randolph Moss, ruled on Tuesday that the presidential decree was inapplicable, because it violated the first amendment of the American Constitution – the one which protects freedom of expression.
In his decision, the magistrate explains that the government can choose what it finances. But he also believes that he cannot punish the media by cutting off their funding because of their opinions.
“The First Amendment draws a line that the government cannot cross: that which consists of using the power of the state – including the power of the wallet – to “punish or silence expression of which it disapproves” in others,” the magistrate wrote.
However, according to him, Donald Trump’s “message” was “clear”, namely that in his eyes “NPR and PBS no longer have to request any federal aid, because the president disapproves of their media coverage deemed to be ” left…,” continues the judge.
More than 40 million Americans listen to NPR public radio each week and 36 million watch local PBS television each month, according to media estimates.
“This is a ridiculous decision by an activist judge seeking to undermine the law. NPR and PBS have no right to receive public funds, and Congress has already voted to eliminate their funding,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded to AFP.
Conversely, NPR boss Katherine Maher hailed a “victory” which reaffirms “the rights of a free and independent press”.
“Public media exists to serve the general interest – that of Americans – and not a political agenda or an elected official,” she continues.
“As we have argued, and as Judge Moss confirmed, this decree constitutes a textbook case of discrimination based on opinions,” responded a PBS spokesperson.
Since his return to power in 2025, Donald Trump has intensified his fight against the media that he considers to be hostile to him, using the many levers at his disposal, political, financial and even legal.
