Federal Court Allows Trump Removal of CPB Board Members as CPB Retains Directors

A federal judge, Randolph Moss, denied the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's (CPB) request for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump administration from removing three CPB board members, Laura Ross, Thomas Rothman, and Diane Kaplan. Despite denying the injunction, the judge recognized CPB's status as an independent nonprofit entity that Congress intended to insulate from presidential control, emphasizing that the President cannot remove directors without a two-thirds vote from the board. In response, CPB has taken steps to reaffirm the three members remain on the board, citing the nonprofit's bylaws that protect its governance from executive interference. CPB's CEO Patricia Harrison expressed satisfaction with the court's recognition of CPB's independence and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to its mission free from governmental influence. The case continues, with the court leaving room to revisit injunctive relief should the administration further attempt to interfere with CPB's board. This legal dispute highlights tensions between the Trump administration and CPB over control and independence of the public broadcasting entity.