NPR sues Trump, calls threat to pull federal funding unconstitutional
NPR defended its editorial standards in a May 27 statement and said Trump's order was unconstitutional.
"NPR has a First Amendment right to be free from government attempts to control private speech as well as from retaliation aimed at punishing and chilling protected speech," the statement said. "By basing its directives on the substance of NPR's programming, the Executive Order seeks to force NPR to adapt its journalistic standards and editorial choices to the preferences of the government if it is to continue to receive federal funding."
Three local public radio organizations - Aspen Public Radio, Colorado Public Radio and KSUT Public Radio - joined NPR as plaintiffs in the case. The listed defendants include Trump, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the nonprofit entity that distributes federal funding to NPR and PBS and local stations, also is listed as a defendant.
Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., an attorney representing NPR, also said the executive order was unconstitutional and that it would have far-reaching impact if it's allowed to stand.
"By seeking to halt federal funding to NPR, the Executive Order harms not only NPR and its Member stations, but also the tens of millions of Americans across the country who rely on them for news and cultural programming, and vital emergency information," Boutrous said in a statement to USA TODAY.
USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for comment.
USA TODAY'S coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
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