The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against three board members of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) who continue to remain in office despite being officially removed by the Trump administration, the agency said in a July 15 statement.
CPB, a nonprofit established by Congress, disburses funds to many media outlets such as the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR).
On April 28, White House official Trent Morse informed CPB board members Laura Ross, Thomas Rothman, and Diane Kaplan that they were being terminated. CPB, its board, and the board members then sued the administration.
On June 8, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied their request, assessing that the president has “at least some ability to influence the affairs of the Corporation.” Despite the ruling, CPB said in a June 8 statement that the terminated members would remain on the board….
DOJ Sues Public Broadcasting Board Members for Refusing to Step Down
