• The Trump administration plans to request Congress cut over $1 billion from public broadcasting.
• This funding rescission could eliminate nearly all federal support for NPR and PBS.
• Public broadcasters warn such cuts would have a devastating impact on local media and services.
• Republican criticism of NPR and PBS has intensified over allegations of liberal bias.
• The proposal forms part of a broader rescission strategy affecting multiple government agencies.

The Trump administration is preparing to ask Congress to rescind more than $1 billion earmarked for public broadcasting as part of a major budgetary cut, which could eliminate almost all federal support for NPR and PBS. This request will be made when Congress reconvenes, initiating a 45-day window for legislative approval, according to reports from multiple sources including The New York Times.

The proposal is part of a larger rescission package aimed at cutting over $9 billion from previously approved funding across various sectors, including international aid and public broadcasting agencies. Paula Kerger, PBS's president, emphasized that these cuts would "devastate" local member stations that depend heavily on federal support, particularly in rural areas, as reported by The Hill.

Moreover, NPR has stated that eliminating funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting would severely impact American communities relying on public radio for crucial news, culture, and emergency services. Kerger noted that “there’s nothing more American than PBS,” highlighting the necessity of bipartisan support in maintaining its operations according to HuffPost.

As the White House prepares for this significant request, it has also criticized NPR and PBS, labeling their content as “woke propaganda” and accusing them of leftist bias. Trump has publicly expressed his disdain for these broadcasters, calling for Republicans to sever ties with them entirely, as noted in reports from HuffPost.

During recent congressional hearings, executives from NPR and PBS faced intense questioning primarily from Republican lawmakers who have vowed to pursue further funding cuts based on their allegations of bias. This ongoing political contention reflects a broader strategy by the Trump administration to influence public media and expand its critique of media coverage, according to The Hill.