National Public Radio (NPR) has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump (R), arguing that he has violated the First Amendment by attempting to defund public media. The lawsuit, which was filed this week, claims that President Trump’s May 1st executive order to cut off funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) constitutes “textbook viewpoint discrimination.”
“This is a clear violation of the Constitution,” the lawsuit states, calling the president’s actions “retaliation” for NPR’s perceived political stance and an unlawful attempt to silence media that is accused of being critical of the president.
NPR is joined in the lawsuit by several member stations, including broadcasters from Colorado, who stress the vital local role of public radio.
The CPB, a nonprofit set up in 1967 to be insulated from political interference, distributes more than $500 million in taxpayer funds annually to public radio and television stations, as well as producers of educational content.
That funding, which was approved by Congress as recently as March and which signed into law by President Trump himself, is now under direct threat from the executive order.
“This really is just pure viewpoint discrimination,” said Theodore Boutrous, NPR’s attorney, noting that the founding legislation for CPB was designed to prevent such political coercion.
Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) responded to the news of the lawsuit, accusing President Trump of trying to silence dissent.
NPR is suing Trump.
Why? Because he slashed their funding just for doing their job—which is political retaliation.
He’s trying to silence public media because they don’t bow down to his ego.
News flash: the First Amendment doesn’t disappear just because you don’t like the… https://t.co/IRPqrGrF5E
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) May 27, 2025
“NPR is suing Trump. Why? Because he slashed their funding just for doing their job—which is political retaliation,” she wrote on X. “News flash: the First Amendment doesn’t disappear just because you don’t like the coverage, Donnie.”
PBS has not yet filed its own lawsuit, but it says it is exploring “every option” to protect its mission. Meanwhile, NPR’s legal battle could set the stage for a high-stakes First Amendment showdown over press freedom as the president and his supporters continue to combat the media.
