Federal judges on Tuesday halted two of President Donald Trump’s initiatives.
A judge in the District of Columbia declared Trump’s decree that removed federal funding for the public‑broadcasting network NPR and the public‑broadcasting network PBS unlawful and unenforceable, arguing that it violated the broadcasters’ First Amendment right to free speech. Judge Randolph Moss noted that the government can not use its fiscal power to punish or silence unpopular opinions, a limitation that had been crossed.
In a separate ruling from the same court, Judge Richard Leon ordered that construction on the White House ballroom be stopped until Congress approves its completion. He stressed that the president, while acting as caretaker of the White House, is not its owner. The judge also announced a 14‑day suspension of the injunction, expecting the administration to file an immediate appeal.
