CPB Pushes Back on Executive Order to Cut NPR Funding

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, May 2, 2025

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is challenging the authority of President Donald Trump's executive order that seeks to eliminate federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), asserting that the president has no legal control over the nonprofit organization.

"CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President's authority," said Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of CPB, in a statement released Friday. "Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government."

Harrison cited the Communications Act of 1967, which established CPB and prohibits any federal department or agency from exercising "any direction, supervision, or control over educational television or radio broadcasting, or over [CPB] or any of its grantees or contractors."

The president signed the executive order Thursday while en route to Florida aboard Air Force One. The order instructs CPB to "cease direct funding to NPR and PBS" and directs federal agencies to end all forms of support-direct or indirect-for the two networks. It also mandates revisions to CPB's 2025 General Provisions to reflect the prohibition.

According to a White House fact sheet, the executive order aims to block funding to NPR and PBS "to the maximum extent allowed by law," alleging the networks "have fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars."

The order extends beyond CPB itself, calling on all federal departments to review existing grants and contracts and to terminate those involving NPR and PBS. It also tasks the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies with investigating whether the networks have engaged in unlawful discrimination.

NPR and PBS receive funding from a mix of sources, including private donations, corporate sponsorships, and local and national grants. While CPB funds represent only a fraction of their overall budgets, they are critical to hundreds of local public radio and TV stations that rely on CPB grants for operations.

In a statement, Katherine Maher, NPR President and CEO, said "We will vigorously defend our right to provide essential news, information and life-saving services to the American public. We will challenge this Executive Order using all means available."

The president's order is likely to trigger legal scrutiny over executive authority and congressional control of federal appropriations.