Corporation For Public Broadcasting Can Keep Board Members

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ruled that three Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) board members—Diane Kaplan, Laura Ross, and Thomas Rothman—can retain their positions, despite President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove them. However, Moss denied CPB’s request for a preliminary injunction to prevent their removal.

Moss affirmed CPB’s independence, noting that recent bylaw changes, authorized by Congress, protect the nonprofit from arbitrary board member removals. He wrote, “The President cannot remove directors and unilaterally appoint replacements to alter board policy; his appointment authority requires Senate advice and consent.” Still, Moss found CPB unlikely to succeed on the merits and unable to prove irreparable harm, as it can continue functioning and has likely blocked Trump’s unilateral actions.

Established in 1967, CPB funds PBS, NPR, and over 1,500 local public radio and TV stations, receiving $535 million in federal funding for the current fiscal year. The lawsuit followed Trump’s firing of the three directors without stated cause, part of broader efforts to cut funding to PBS and NPR, which are also suing to protect their federal support, citing unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

CPB President Patricia Harrison welcomed the ruling, stating, “We’re pleased the court recognized CPB’s independence as a nonprofit, free from government control, and we’ll continue ensuring unbiased public media for all Americans.”

The White House, backed by some Republicans, argues CPB supports overly liberal programming and should not receive taxpayer funds. A spokesperson said Trump is acting within his authority to limit NPR and PBS funding. The legal battle over public media funding remains ongoing.