Federal judge rules Trump violated First Amendment by ordering defunding of NPR and PBS

April 02, 2026 / 12:31 pm

Press Statement

On March 31, 2026, a federal judge ruled that President Trump’s executive order demanding the end to all direct and indirect federal funding for NPR and PBS violated the broadcaster’s first amendment rights. By deeming the executive order unconstitutional, the decision affirms that the executive branch may not bar federal funding for news organizations because of their coverage.

“It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the President does not like and seeks to squelch,” wrote Randolph Moss, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, in his opinion.

This ruling does not restore lost federal funding for public media, which was rescinded by Congress in July 2025. However, the ruling opens a pathway for future federal grants to public media.

"Today's ruling is a decisive affirmation of the rights of a free and independent press — and a win for NPR, our network of stations, and our tens of millions of listeners nationwide," said Katherine Maher, President & CEO, NPR in a statement. "The court made clear that the government cannot use funding as a lever to influence or penalize the press, whether as a national news service or a local newsroom. Public media exists to serve the public interest — that of Americans — not that of any political agenda or elected official.”

Following Congress’ vote to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding for public media, stations like KUOW have been working diligently to find new revenue sources. Following the rescission, KUOW’s supporters rallied to raise $1.4 million to cover KUOW’s first year without federal funding. KUOW leadership has also worked to reduce overall expenses to ensure the long-term sustainability of KUOW.

Community support remains the most important source of revenue for KUOW. Without federal funding this year, KUOW projects that 98% of revenue will come from listener and business support.