Court Upholds CPB's Independence, Board Members Reinstated

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 5:58pm CT

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)

A federal judge has affirmed the statutory and structural independence of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), rejecting efforts by the White House to remove several members of its Board of Directors. The ruling reaffirms CPB's unique status as a nonprofit entity operating outside the reach of executive control.

In a decision released today, U.S. District Court Judge Randolph Moss ruled that the President of the United States does not have the authority to remove CPB board members, citing the organization's founding statute and its bylaws under D.C. nonprofit law.

"Congress intended to preclude the President (or any subordinate officials acting at his direction) from directing, supervising, or controlling the Corporation," Judge Moss wrote, affirming that CPB was created by Congress to function as a private, nonprofit corporation shielded from political interference.

At issue was the attempted removal earlier this year of three CPB board members -- Laura G. Ross, Thomas E. Rothman, and Diane Kaplan -- by President Trump's administration. The court concluded that such action would violate CPB's bylaws, which stipulate that directors may only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the remaining board members.

Following the ruling, CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison welcomed the decision.

"We are very pleased that the Court recognized CPB is an independent, nonprofit corporation, free from governmental control or influence," Harrison said. "CPB, board and management, look forward to continuing our work with policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure accurate, unbiased and nonpartisan public media is available for all Americans."

Harrison also took formal steps today to affirm that Ross, Rothman, and Kaplan remain active members of the CPB Board of Directors.

The case stems from an unprecedented move by the White House in early 2025 to rescind the appointments of the three board members, citing political misalignment. That action prompted internal resistance at CPB and concern among public broadcasting advocates, who argued that such interference would undermine the editorial and operational independence of public media.

CPB was established in 1967 by Congress as part of the Public Broadcasting Act and plays a critical role in supporting more than 1,500 public radio and television stations across the country. Although funded largely by federal appropriations, CPB is structured to operate independently, acting as a buffer between policymakers and editorial decision-making in public broadcasting.

This week's ruling appears to put the matter to rest -- for now -- by reaffirming that the board's composition cannot be altered unilaterally by the executive branch.