Washington, D.C. — The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully suspending a critical $40 million grant program aimed at upgrading the nation’s emergency alert system. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in federal court, challenges the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) sudden decision to halt funding without explanation.
The CPB, a nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1967, is the main source of federal financial support for more than 1,500 public radio and television stations. It claims that FEMA’s unexpected freeze of funds for the Next Generation Warning System has left public broadcasters across the country in limbo. These funds were specifically intended to modernize equipment that transmits emergency alerts for natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other life-threatening events.
According to the complaint, FEMA suspended the grant payments on February 18 without providing any rationale or official communication. Despite several attempts to get answers, CPB says the agency has failed to respond or offer any timeline for reinstating the money. As a result, more than 40 public media recipients are now facing financial strain.
Kathy Merritt, a senior CPB executive, stated that FEMA’s silence left the organization with no choice but to take legal action. “The only path left for us was to file a lawsuit under the Administrative Procedure Act,” she said. The goal, she explained, is to protect stations from financial harm and ensure they’re reimbursed for expenses already incurred under the grant program.
As it stands, the funding suspension has forced public media stations to cover nearly $1.9 million in costs out of pocket. The lawsuit emphasizes that FEMA has never accused CPB of mismanaging the funds, nor has it signaled any intention to formally cancel or revoke the grant awards.
CPB plays a crucial role in supporting local broadcasters, especially in rural and underserved communities where public media may be the most reliable source of information. More than 70% of CPB’s federal funding goes directly to stations, many of which rely on this support to operate emergency alert systems and provide timely information during crises.
Despite the urgency of the situation, a federal judge on Monday declined to order FEMA to immediately resume the payments. The decision leaves dozens of stations still waiting for clarity on when—or if—the funds will be released.
The case is part of a broader trend during the Trump administration, which has faced several lawsuits over allegedly withholding funds from public programs and services. CPB now seeks a court order to lift the hold on the grant program so that emergency alert upgrades can move forward without further delay.
Until the issue is resolved, public media outlets remain caught in the middle—carrying the financial burden while still being expected to perform a vital public safety role.
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Read related cases in our Government & Policy Lawsuits section.
