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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has disclosed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sought to involve itself in CPB operations, adding a new layer to its ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration. CPB is challenging the attempted removal of three board members, revealing in court documents that it also resisted an April request from a DOGE representative to assign a review team to the organization. CPB Executive Vice President and General Counsel Evan Slavitt rejected the request, citing laws that establish CPB as independent from the executive branch.
In an April 30 email, Slavitt emphasized that neither DOGE, the General Services Agency, nor any other federal executive body holds supervisory authority over CPB. His message came just two days after the White House attempted to fire CPB board members Tom Rothman, Diane Kaplan, and Laura Gore Ross, without providing a legal basis. The administration argues that the president has constitutional power to remove individuals carrying out executive functions, a claim the CPB dispute now places before the court. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for May 14.
CPB’s lawsuit warns that if the firings are upheld, the organization would lose its quorum, rendering it unable to carry out critical functions. These include awarding grants, handling ongoing litigation, and communicating with Congress on legislative issues. The case comes amid growing scrutiny of public broadcasting’s role and funding, particularly from the House Subcommittee on Government Efficiency. The subcommittee has raised questions about how CPB, NPR, and PBS use federal funds, which are distributed through CPB.
The influence of DOGE appears to be expanding beyond CPB. Its personnel are now present within the Federal Communications Commission. Tarak Makecha, Jordan Wick, and Jacob Altik are listed in the FCC’s staff directory, working in the Office of the Chairman and using official FCC email addresses. Their presence suggests an effort to extend executive influence into traditionally independent agencies.
This week, FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington announced a reform plan aligned with DOGE’s agenda. In an op-ed, he proposed automating license approvals and reallocating Media Bureau staff, arguing that legacy broadcast oversight is outdated. The move aligns with broader efforts by the administration to challenge the role and structure of public media and regulatory institutions.