Overview

• PBS and Lakeland PBS filed suit Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., challenging Trump’s May 1 order to force the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding NPR and PBS.
• The complaint argues the order amounts to unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and exceeds presidential authority over CPB’s appropriations decisions.
• NPR lodged a similar First Amendment lawsuit earlier this week, and the CPB is separately suing to block the removal of three board members.
• Trump’s order accuses public broadcasters of political bias and directs federal agencies to halt over $500 million in annual grants to NPR and PBS.
• Although Congress appropriated $535 million for public broadcasting this fiscal year, the administration plans to seek rescission, setting up a prolonged legal and legislative battle.