Case: Public Broadcasting Service v. Trump

1:25-cv-01722 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: May 30, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), a private non-profit membership organization comprising 336 local public television stations, along with Northern Minnesota Public Television filed a federal lawsuit on May 30, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against President Donald J. Trump and several federal agencies and officials. The plaintiffs sued under federal question jurisdiction, asserting claims arising under the U.S. Constitution, the Public Broadcasting Act of 1…

The case centers on Executive Order No. 14,290, "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media," which President Trump issued on May 1, 2025. The Executive Order declared that government funding of PBS is "corrosive" and alleged that PBS fails to provide "fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news". It instructed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board and all executive departments to "cease Federal funding for ... PBS" and prohibited PBS Member Stations from using federal funds for PBS programming and services. Following the Executive Order, the Department of Education terminated a $78 million federal grant to PBS for children's educational content. The plaintiffs alleged that these actions followed a presidential social media post on April 1, 2025, calling PBS "RADICAL LEFT 'MONSTERS'" and a White House statement on April 14, 2025, alleging PBS spreads "radical, woke propaganda".

The complaint asserted seven causes of action, including ultra vires conduct under the Public Broadcasting Act, multiple First Amendment violations (viewpoint discrimination, editorial discretion interference, unconstitutional condition, retaliation, and freedom of the press), and Administrative Procedure Act violations. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent implementation of the funding termination, along with attorneys' fees and other appropriate relief.

NPR filed a similar action, National Public Radio v. Trump, in the same court on May 27, 2025. On June 10, the court granted a joint motion by the parties in both cases to resolve the litigation via cross-motions for summary judgment. Plaintiffs moved for summary judgment on June 13, 2025. Defendants opposed the Plaintiffs' motion, and moved for summary judgment on July 12, 2025.

On February 20, 2026, the court consolidated this case with the NPR case due to the identical legal issues presented by the pending summary judgment motions in both cases.

District Judge Randolph D. Moss ruled on the cross-summary judgment motions on March 31, 2026. The court granted in part plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment on their First Amendment claims regarding Section 3(a) of the Executive Order, finding that it violated the First Amendment because it "singles out two speakers and, on the basis of their speech, bars them from all federally funded programs" without regard to program purpose. The court distinguished this from permissible government speech, holding that the order constituted impermissible "viewpoint discrimination and retaliation" that crossed the line from legitimate program management "to punish[ing] or suppress[ing] disfavored expression." As a remedy, the court issued a permanent injunction against federal agency defendants barring implementation or enforcement of the Executive Order's instruction to cease funding NPR and PBS, along with a declaratory judgment that Section 3(a) was unconstitutional and unenforceable. The court denied as moot claims against the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) due to its dissolution on February 28, 2026, following Congress's separate rescission of CPB funding.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Matt Petrillo (6/19/2025)

Allison Opheim (9/17/2025)

Maddy Ligon (4/7/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70414813/parties/public-broadcasting-service-v-donald-j-trump/

Judge(s)

Moss, Randolph Daniel (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Chen, Ze-wen Julius (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Banerjee, Carmen M. (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Hauss, Brian Matthew (District of Columbia)

Moskowitz, David (District of Columbia)

Judge(s)

Moss, Randolph Daniel (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Chen, Ze-wen Julius (District of Columbia)

Shah, Pratik (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Banerjee, Carmen M. (District of Columbia)

Other

Hauss, Brian Matthew (District of Columbia)

Moskowitz, David (District of Columbia)

Nolen, Natalie A. (District of Columbia)

SASSOWER, ELENA RUTH (District of Columbia)

Tobin, Charles D. (District of Columbia)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-01722	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025 Complaint
33 1:25-cv-01722	Memorandum Opinion & Order National Public Radio v. Trump	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 877434

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14290 - Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media President Donald Trump	Directing all executive departments and agencies to end federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70414813/public-broadcasting-service-v-donald-j-trump/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:50 a.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ADCDC-11725721) filed by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Summons, # 4 Summons, # 5 Summons, # 6 Summons, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons, # 10 Summons, # 11 Summons, # 12 Summons, # 13 Summons, # 14 Summons, # 15 Summons)(Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 05/30/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on RECAP 2 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP 3 Summons View on RECAP 4 Summons View on RECAP 5 Summons View on RECAP 6 Summons View on RECAP 7 Summons View on RECAP 8 Summons View on RECAP 9 Summons View on RECAP 10 Summons View on RECAP 11 Summons View on RECAP 12 Summons View on RECAP 13 Summons View on RECAP 14 Summons View on RECAP 15 Summons View on RECAP	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE. Case related to Case No. 1:25-cv-01674. (Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 05/30/2025)	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025 RECAP
3	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 05/30/2025)	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025
4	LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC. (Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 05/30/2025)	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Ze-wen Julius Chen on behalf of NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 05/30/2025)	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025
6	NOTICE of Appearance by Pratik Shah on behalf of NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (Shah, Pratik) (Entered: 05/30/2025)	May 30, 2025	May 30, 2025
7	SUMMONS (13) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(znmw) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
8	STANDING ORDER: The parties are hereby ORDERED to comply with the directives set forth in the attached Standing Order. See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/2/2025. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025 RECAP
	Case Assigned to Judge Randolph D. Moss. (znmw)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
9	NOTICE of Appearance by Carmen M. Banerjee on behalf of All Defendants (Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 06/09/2025)	June 9, 2025	June 9, 2025
10	Joint MOTION for Briefing Schedule for Expedited Summary Judgment and Other Related Relief by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 06/09/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	June 9, 2025	June 9, 2025 RECAP
11	ORDER: Upon consideration of the parties' Joint Motion for Entry of an Expedited Briefing Schedule, Dkt. 10, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED and the parties proposed schedule is adopted. See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/10/2025. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 06/10/2025)	June 10, 2025	June 10, 2025 RECAP
12	MOTION for Summary Judgment by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Declaration Paula Kerger, # 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Jeff Hanks, # 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 06/13/2025) 1 Exhibit A - Declaration Paula Kerger View on PACER 2 Exhibit B - Declaration of Jeff Hanks View on PACER 3 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	June 13, 2025	June 13, 2025 RECAP
13	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by DIGITAL CONTENT NEXT, THE INTERCEPT MEDIA, INC., PRO PUBLICA, INC., RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Proposed Amicus Brief, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Tobin, Charles) (Entered: 06/20/2025)	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025
14	AMICUS BRIEF of Colorado and 22 Other States in Support of Plaintiffs by STATE OF COLORADO. (Moskowitz, David) (Entered: 06/20/2025)	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025 RECAP
15	NOTICE of Appearance by Brian Matthew Hauss on behalf of AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MINNESOTA (Hauss, Brian) (Entered: 06/20/2025)	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025
16	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MINNESOTA, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (Attachments: # 1 Amicus Brief of ACLU, ACLU DC, and ACLU of Minnesota, # 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Motion for Leave to file Amicus Brief)(Hauss, Brian) (Entered: 06/20/2025) 1 Amicus Brief of ACLU, ACLU DC, and ACLU of Minnesota View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Motion for Leave to file Amicus B View on PACER	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025
17	NOTICE of Appearance by Natalie A. Fleming Nolen on behalf of America's Public Television Stations (Fleming Nolen, Natalie) (Entered: 06/20/2025)	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025
18	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by America's Public Television Stations. (Attachments: # 1 Brief of Amicus Curiae America's Public Television Stations in Support of Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Fleming Nolen, Natalie) (Entered: 06/20/2025) 1 Brief of Amicus Curiae America's Public Television Stations in Support of View on RECAP 2 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	June 20, 2025	June 20, 2025
19	AMICUS BRIEF by DIGITAL CONTENT NEXT, PRO PUBLICA, INC., RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS ASSOCIATION, THE INTERCEPT MEDIA, INC.. (zjm) (Entered: 07/03/2025)	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025 RECAP
20	AMICUS BRIEF by AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF MINNESOTA, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. (zjm) (Entered: 07/03/2025)	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025 RECAP
21	AMICUS BRIEF by AMERICA'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS. (zjm) (Entered: 07/03/2025)	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Digital Content Next, The Intercept Media, Inc., Pro Publica, Inc., and the Radio Television Digital News Association's Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief, Dkt. 13, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. The amicus brief on behalf of Plaintiffs shall be deemed filed. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/24/2025. (lcrdm1)	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the American Civil Liberties Union and Amici's Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief, Dkt. 16, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. The amicus brief on behalf of Plaintiffs shall be deemed filed. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/24/2025. (lcrdm1)	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of America's Public Television Station's Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief, Dkt. 18, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED. The amicus brief on behalf of Plaintiffs shall be deemed filed. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 6/24/2025. (lcrdm1)	June 24, 2025	June 24, 2025
22	Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID RICHARDSON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion)(Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 07/12/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion View on PACER	July 12, 2025	July 12, 2025
23	Memorandum in opposition to re 12 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID RICHARDSON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion)(Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 07/12/2025) 1 Memorandum in Support of Motion View on RECAP	July 12, 2025	July 12, 2025
24	MOTION for Summary Judgment by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM. (Attachments: # 1 Statement of Facts, # 2 Declaration, # 3 Statement of Facts)(Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 07/12/2025) 1 Statement of Facts View on RECAP 2 Declaration View on PACER 3 Statement of Facts View on PACER	July 12, 2025	July 12, 2025 RECAP
25	Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment Certified Adm Rec Index - Link to ECF 22 by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID RICHARDSON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Certified Index of Admin Record)(Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 07/12/2025) 1 Certified Index of Admin Record View on PACER	July 12, 2025	July 12, 2025 RECAP
26	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Motion for Summary Judgment & Administrative Record, Nunc Pro Tunc by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 07/12/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	July 12, 2025	July 12, 2025
27	Memorandum in opposition to re 12 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (See docket entry 22 to view document) (zdp) (Entered: 07/17/2025)	July 12, 2025	July 12, 2025
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File AND Set/Reset Deadlines	July 14, 2025	July 14, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of Defendants' Motion for Extension of Time Nunc Pro Tunc, Dkt. 26, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED; it is further ORDERED that Defendants' time to file their motions for summary judgment and opposition to Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment is extended until 1:50 a.m. on July 12, 2025; that Defendants' time to serve the Administrative Record is extended until 6:00 p.m on July 12, 2025; and that Defendants' time to file the certified index of the Administrative Record is extended until 4:35 p.m. on July 12, 2025. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 7/14/2025. (lcrdm1)	July 14, 2025	July 14, 2025
	Memorandum in opposition to motion	July 17, 2025	July 17, 2025
28	MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by ELENA RUTH SASSOWER. (Attachments: # 1 Amicus Brief)(zdp) (Entered: 07/18/2025) 1 Amicus Brief View on PACER	July 18, 2025	July 18, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief	July 18, 2025	July 18, 2025
	MINUTE ORDER: Upon consideration of the Center for Judicial Accountability's ("CJA") Motion for Leave to File an Amicus Brief, Dkt. 28, it is hereby ORDERED that the motion is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. The amicus brief was filed by Elena Ruth Sassower, the "Director" of the Center for Judicial Accountability, who is herself proceeding pro se. Dkt. 28 at 3. Ms. Sassower represents that "CJA is not represented by an attorney." Id. But a corporation or organization "cannot represent itself and cannot appear pro se. It must be represented by counsel." See Alexian Brothers Medical Ctr. v. Sebelius, 63 F. Supp. 3d 105, 108 (D.D.C. 2014); see also Partridge v. Am. Hosp. Mang. Co., LLC, 289 F. Supp. 3d 1, 25 (D.D.C. 2017). Accordingly, the motion is DENIED in so far as the amicus brief is filed by the Center for Judicial Accountability without counsel. The Court will, however, construe the motion as filed on behalf of Elena Ruth Sassower in her personal capacity and GRANT leave to file on that ground. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 7/18/2025. (lcrdm1)	July 18, 2025	July 18, 2025
29	NOTICE of Proposed Order Text of Proposed Order by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID RICHARDSON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT re 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment (Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 07/22/2025)	July 22, 2025	July 22, 2025 RECAP
30	REPLY to opposition to motion re 12 Motion for Summary Judgment, filed by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proposal, # 2 Declaration of P. Kerger, # 3 Declaration of J. Hanks)(Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 07/25/2025) 1 Exhibit A - Proposal View on PACER 2 Declaration of P. Kerger View on PACER 3 Declaration of J. Hanks View on PACER	July 25, 2025	July 25, 2025 RECAP
31	RESPONSE re 22 Cross MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by NORTHERN MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION, INC., PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Proposal, # 2 Declaration of P. Kerger, # 3 Declaration of J. Hanks, # 4 Responses to Federal Defendants' Statement of Undisputed Facts)(Chen, Ze-wen) (Entered: 07/25/2025) 1 Exhibit A - Proposal View on PACER 2 Declaration of P. Kerger View on PACER 3 Declaration of J. Hanks View on PACER 4 Responses to Federal Defendants' Statement of Undisputed Facts View on PACER	July 25, 2025	July 25, 2025
32	REPLY to opposition to motion re 22 Motion for Summary Judgment, Reply In Support of Defs. Cross-Mot. S. Judgment filed by SCOTT BESSENT, DONALD J. TRUMP, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, LINDA MCMAHON, KRISTI NOEM, DAVID RICHARDSON, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, RUSSELL VOUGHT. (Banerjee, Carmen) (Entered: 08/08/2025)	Aug. 8, 2025	Aug. 8, 2025 RECAP
	MINUTE ORDER: Due to the identical legal issues presented by the pending summary judgment motions in this case and National Public Radio v. Trump, 25-cv-1674, the Court is inclined to consolidate the cases. It is hereby ORDERED that if any party objects to the consolidation of these cases, it should inform the Court on or before February 13, 2026. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 2/9/2026. (lcrdm1)	Feb. 9, 2026	Feb. 9, 2026
	.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines	Feb. 9, 2026	Feb. 9, 2026
	.Order	Feb. 20, 2026	Feb. 20, 2026
	MINUTE ORDER: Due to the identical legal issues presented by the pending summary judgment motions in this case and National Public Radio v. Trump, 1:25-cv-1674, and the lack of objection from any party, it is hereby ORDERED that the two actions, No. 1:25-cv-1674 and No. 1: 25-cv-1722 are CONSOLIDATED. All future pleadings will be filed in National Public Radio v. Trump, No. 1:25-cv-1674. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 2/20/2026. (lcrdm1)	Feb. 20, 2026	Feb. 20, 2026
33	MEMORANDUM OPINION: For the reasons contained herein, the Court will GRANT in part, DENY as moot in part, and DENY in part without prejudice Plaintiffs' motions for summary judgment, NPR Dkt. 21 and PBS Dkt. 12 . The Court will GRANT on grounds of mootness in part, DENY in part, and DENY in part without prejudice Defendants' motions for summary judgment, NPR Dkt. 30 and PBS Dkt. 22 . The Court will PERMANENTLY ENJOIN the agency defendants from implementing or enforcing Executive Order 14290's instruction to cease funding NPR and PBS. Finally, the Court will DIRECT that the parties submit a joint status report proposing next steps, if any, including whether the Court should enter partial final judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b). See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/31/2026. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026 Clearinghouse
34	ORDER: For the reasons explained in the Court's Memorandum Opinion, Dkt. 33, it is hereby ORDERED that the parties shall comply with the directives in the attached order. See document for details. Signed by Judge Randolph D. Moss on 3/31/2026. (lcrdm1) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Grant/Contract rescissions, Defunding or Other Threats against Private Entities

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 30, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

PBS and a local PBS affiliate in Minnesota.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Department of the Treasury

U.S. Office of Management and Budget

United States of America

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-01722

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Reinstatement (job, contract, grant, etc.)

Retaliation Prohibition

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Government services

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Impoundment (mandatory spending)

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Public Broadcasting Service v. Trump, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46646/ (last updated 4/7/2026).

Case: Public Broadcasting Service v. Trump

1:25-cv-01722 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

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