A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's executive order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS, ruling it unconstitutional under the First Amendment because it targeted the broadcasters based on their speech. The decision was welcomed by the networks, while the White House signaled it may appeal.
U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss issued a March 31, 2026 ruling that the Trump administration cannot enforce the executive order cutting federal funding to National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump in May 2025, directed federal agencies and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to terminate all funding for NPR and PBS, and the corporation was dissolved in January 2026.
Judge Moss found the order violated the First Amendment because it lacked neutral criteria and singled out the two broadcasters for the content of their speech.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the administration “looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue” and called the ruling “ridiculous.”