PBS sues Trump administration, says executive order cutting federal funding violates First Amendment

PBS is suing Trump administration over its efforts to cut funding, joining NPR in challenging an executive order signed earlier this month they argue is "unconstitutional."

"PBS disputes those charged assertions in the strongest possible terms. But regardless of any policy disagreements over the role of public television, our Constitution and laws forbid the President from serving as the arbiter of the content of PBS’s programming, including by attempting to defund PBS," it continued. Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.

The lawsuit, which names Northern Minnesota Public Television as a co-plaintiff, lists several defendants, including President Donald Trump, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessett, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.