Federal judge strikes down President Trump’s executive order to end NPR and PBS’ funding

(NBC, KYMA) - A federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from enforcing President Donald Trump's executive order to end funding for PBS and NPR.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss says the order was unlawful and unenforceable and said, "The First Amendment does not tolerate viewpoint discrimination and retaliation of this type."

NPR CEO Katherine Maher issued a statement saying in part, "Today's ruling is a decisive affirmation of the rights of a free and independent press — and a win for NPR, our network of stations, and our tens of millions of listeners nationwide."

A spokesperson for PBS also issued a statement saying in part, "We're thrilled with today's decision declaring the executive order unconstitutional. As we argued, and Judge Moss ruled, the executive order is textbook unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliation, in violation of longstanding First Amendment principles."

Last year, President Trump said, in a press conference, he would love to defund PBS and NPR because he says they are biased in favor of his political opponents.

NPR has claimed the White House wants to punish for the content of its journalism.