Title: NPR’s Battle Against Trump Executive Order in Court: A Fight for Freedom of Press and Public Media Funding In recent years, we have witnessed an unprecedented attack on the media by the current administration. Investigations are launched against journalists, press access is restricted within government buildings, and websites slamming critical news coverage of the president are created. However, in court, the Trump administration finds itself increasingly on the back foot. The New York Times filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon’s new press policy last week, while NPR was in court at a pivotal hearing arguing that the administration had broken the law with its treatment of public media. At stake is not only freedom of speech but also funding for public media outlets like NPR and PBS. At a key court hearing in Washington D.C., NPR’s lawyers accused President Trump of acting illegally on May 1 when he issued an executive order demanding an end to all federal subsidies for NPR and PBS. The president’s order, titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidy of Biased Media,” accuses the public broadcasters of ideological bias due to their news coverage. The networks deny this accusation. In response, Theodore J. Boutrous, NPR’s lead trial attorney and a noted free speech lawyer, argued in court that “the executive order flagrantly violates NPR and its member stations’ First Amendment rights.” He added that Trump is not making any secret of his views on the matter. Under the Constitution, the U.S. government cannot discriminate against people based on their expressed views; for news outlets, this extends to news coverage as well. Boutrous noted in court that Trump’s executive order states: “Which viewpoints NPR and PBS promote does not matter. What does matter is that neither entity presents a fair, accurate or unbiased portrayal of current events to taxpaying citizens.” The summary judgment hearing provided an opportunity for both sides to shape the contours of a trial. The implications of this case are significant as it could set precedent on how much control governments can exert over media outlets and their funding sources, potentially affecting freedom of press worldwide. In conclusion, NPR’s battle against Trump’s executive order in court is not just about defending public media funding but also fighting for the fundamental right to free speech and an independent press. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold, but its outcome could have far-reaching implications on journalism and democracy as we know it.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/05/g-s1-100844/npr-battles-trump-executive-order-in-court)
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