### Trump Administration Moves to Rescind $1.1 Billion Funding for Public Broadcasting

In a controversial move, President Trump has formally requested Congress to retract the $1.1 billion allocated for public broadcasters NPR and PBS over the next two years, positioning these institutions at the heart of his ongoing conflict with major cultural entities. The success of this rescission request hinges on a simple majority approval from lawmakers in both the House and Senate within a 45-day window.

This latest development follows a House subcommittee hearing earlier this year, during which Trump's Republican allies accused NPR and PBS of partisan bias and called for the elimination of federal funds distributed through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to local stations. PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger testified at the hearing, warning that the proposed cuts would severely impact public broadcasting, particularly in rural areas.

PBS President Paula Kerger stated, "Without PBS member stations, Americans will lose unique local programming and critical emergency services in times of crisis." Echoing these concerns, NPR President Katherine Maher highlighted that local radio stations could face immediate budget shortfalls, resulting in layoffs and show cancellations. Maher further questioned the legality of the proposal, arguing that it violates the Public Broadcasting Act, the First Amendment, and the Due Process Clause.

The proposed cuts are part of a broader $9.4 billion package from the Trump administration aimed at reducing wasteful spending. House Speaker Mike Johnson credited billionaire Elon Musk and his task force for identifying various programs deemed inefficient. However, opposition within the Senate looms, with Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins objecting to cuts affecting the HIV/AIDS program PEPFAR, labeling it a globally successful public health initiative.

Despite historical bipartisan support for public broadcasting, criticisms from some Republicans persist. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized NPR and PBS as left-wing echo chambers catering to a narrow audience. Nonetheless, some Republicans, like Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, continue to support federal funding, emphasizing the vital services these stations provide to their states.

In response, leading Democrats such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Patty Murray condemned Trump's proposal, framing it as an attempt to muzzle the free press and undermine important foreign assistance programs. A letter from the House Public Broadcasting Caucus, signed by 106 Democratic lawmakers, also advocated maintaining the financial subsidies, stressing the importance of timely and reliable local news, especially in rural areas.

This rescission request adds another layer to Trump's ongoing efforts to assert control over the CPB. Previous actions include trying to remove CPB board members and issuing an executive order barring federal funds from going to NPR or PBS. These actions are currently being contested in court, with legal challenges from CPB, NPR, PBS, and various public radio stations.

As the 45-day period for congressional consideration begins, the outcome of Trump's request remains uncertain. The last time a president succeeded in a rescission request was decades ago, leaving the current proposal's fate to be determined in the coming weeks.