What Trump’s Executive Order Means for KMUD: Lauren Schmitt Letter to the Editor

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A letter from KMUD’s news director written yesterday:

Today, I received a number of calls and emails from members of the press, concerned community members, and longtime KMUD supporters asking how President Donald Trump’s new executive order—aimed at ending federal funding for NPR and PBS—might impact Redwood Community Radio. In response to those questions and concerns, I’ve written a letter to the editor, which I’d like to share with you here:

At this time, the immediate implications of Thursday’s Executive Order for KMUD remain unclear.

First, the Executive Order explicitly targets National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). KMUD is unaffiliated with either—unlike Cal Poly Humboldt’s KHSU, which is an NPR member station or local PBS affiliate KEET. As a result, KMUD is not directly named or immediately affected by the order.

Second, there are serious legal questions surrounding the President’s authority to issue such an order. Patricia Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), stated:

“CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President’s authority. Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government.”

She emphasized that Congress explicitly forbade any federal agency or official from controlling CPB or its grantees, citing 47 U.S.C. § 398(c). CPB was created through the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 to ensure every American—regardless of geography or income—has access to high-quality, non-commercial public media.

KMUD does receive support through CPB-funded programs, however, no funding changes have yet been enacted as a result of this Executive Order. Still, many see the order as part of a broader campaign to dismantle public media.

In March of this year, I interviewed Janine Jackson of FAIR.org and Counterspin who put it bluntly: “Defunding public media isn’t about saving money—it’s about control. It’s about ensuring media are accountable to powerful interests rather than to the communities they serve.”

She pointed to Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint supported by former and current Trump officials, which calls for eliminating federal support for public media altogether. Advocates warn this is not just a budget issue—it’s an attempt to silence independent journalism.

Meanwhile, the House Subcommittee on Delivering Government Transparency and Efficiency (DOGE), chaired by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, held a hearing in March titled “Anti-American Airwaves,” aimed at stripping NPR and PBS of federal funding.

Ironically, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) had already received bipartisan support and funding approval through 2027—making this move feel abrupt and politically motivated to many in public broadcasting.

Opponents of public media argued that it “crowds out” private media, that it has become “irrelevant” in the age of internet access (a claim that simply doesn’t hold true in rural areas like ours), and pointed to PBS content they deemed inappropriate—specifically, a program featuring drag queens reading to children. But that segment never actually aired on PBS television; it was posted online, on the network’s website.

Then, in April, came the threat of a proposed rescission bill, which could have clawed back CPB funding—even though those funds had already been allocated. A rescission is a rarely used mechanism that allows the president to propose canceling funds previously approved by Congress. However, for the cancellation to take effect, Congress must approve it by a simple majority vote.

While this bill was expected to reach Congress in late April, delays tied to the budget reconciliation process have stalled its progress—further contributing to financial uncertainty for stations like KMUD.

And now, this Executive Order.

In my opinion, this Executive Order was issued precisely because public media continues to enjoy bipartisan support—especially among those who understand the vital role we play in rural communities. As many know, natural disasters do not fall along party lines. They impact everyone, regardless of who they voted for.

Stations like KMUD serve entire communities, and we’ve consistently been on the front lines of communication during wildfires, earthquakes, snowstorms, and the COVID-19 pandemic—providing accurate, timely, and often life-saving information.

Even local officials recognize this. Just the other day, Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall reached out to express his full support for KMUD. He even offered to author a letter on our behalf, acknowledging—as many others do—that KMUD serves everyone, regardless of politics or background.
Donald Trump has issued more Executive Orders than any modern president, according to The New York Times. The order signed on May 1st states that it is: “Ending the taxpayer subsidization of National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).”

Notably, it does not mention CPB’s broader funding to other stations like KMUD. However, it was issued the same week CPB filed a federal lawsuit against Trump to prevent the politically motivated dismissal of board members—another reminder of escalating tensions between the administration and public media. The lawsuit, which centers on CPB’s statutory independence, names both Trump and Russell Vought, a Project 2025 architect. (Link to lawsuit)

Why CPB Funding Matters

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) receives approximately $535 million annually—just 0.0079% of the federal budget. Yet this modest investment delivers enormous value, particularly in rural communities like ours. CPB funding supports emergency alerts and disaster communication, local journalism that reflects the unique needs of our region, training for volunteer broadcasters, and cultural programming that amplifies diverse voices often left out of commercial media. Unlike corporate broadcasters, public media outlets are not driven by advertisers or shareholder interests. Stations like KMUD are fueled by local volunteers, community support, and a commitment to public service—and that’s exactly what’s at risk.

Public Media & Community Media

While public and community radio stations often share similar missions and values, their programming and focus can differ significantly.

Public broadcasting tends to have a broader scope and audience reach. Take KHSU, for example—a station that airs content from around the world, offering critical global perspectives and stories from across the country. These are often voices and issues left out of mainstream commercial media.

Community radio, on the other hand, prioritizes local engagement, empowerment, and directly addressing the specific needs of the communities it serves. When I report the news at 6 p.m., I know exactly who I’m speaking to: you, the listener. We’re not creating content for a national or global market—we’re serving our neighbors in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties.

This distinction was especially clear following the M6.4 earthquake in Rio Dell. While NBC was focused on capturing headlines, KMUD was focused on delivering life-saving information—the kind our community urgently needed.

\Some members of Congress have introduced legislation that would cut federal funding for NPR and PBS, while potentially sparing rural stations. While KMUD has not taken an official stance on this proposal, our sister station KZYX in Mendocino County has spoken out.

Unlike KMUD, KZYX is both a community radio station and a public radio affiliate. In a recent report, News Director Elise Cox explained the financial stakes:

“KZYX’s financial relationship with NPR highlights the complexity of the funding picture. Federal dollars account for only about 1% of NPR’s budget, while member stations like KZYX contribute roughly 30%. This year alone, KZYX paid $71,000 in programming and satellite fees to NPR.”

That means if operational support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) disappears, stations like KZYX could be forced to make significant cuts—including reconsidering their NPR affiliation. As Cox wrote, “everything is on the table” as the station prepares next year’s budget.

When asked whether Republicans might support a carve-out for rural stations while defunding national outlets, Congressman Doug LaMalfa told KZYX that was a possibility. “No one wants to swing an ax and cut everything,” he said.

While KMUD may be safe from immediate funding cuts, other cherished local stations like KEET-TV may not be. KEET provides outstanding programming that keeps our community informed and engaged—from trusted public affairs shows to local news and cultural storytelling. For many rural families, PBS member stations like KEET are essential. They offer free, high-quality educational content that helps children learn to read and thrive.

In response to the recent congressional hearing—and seeing the writing on the wall—I became a member of KEET, choosing to vote with my dollars. Their future shouldn’t be caught in the crossfire of politics.

KMUD & CPB

Redwood Community Radio—KMUD—is a proud recipient of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)’s Community Service Grant (CSG). These grants are awarded to noncommercial public radio and television stations that provide significant public service programming to their communities. CSG funding helps stations expand the quality and scope of their work across news, educational content, public affairs, cultural programming, and more.

To qualify for CPB support, applicant and recipient stations must meet rigorous annual standards related to legal compliance, management practices, staffing levels, financial transparency, and community accountability. KMUD meets these benchmarks by:

• Employing multiple full-time staff
• Hosting open public meetings for community oversight, including via our Board of Directors and Community Advisory Board
• Maintaining open financial records
• Adhering to strict recordkeeping, certification, and audit requirements

It’s worth noting that many community stations do not qualify for CPB funding because the CSG program functions as a matching grant. In order to receive CPB funds, stations must raise approx. $275,000 per year from their communities—through donations, in-kind contributions, and other grants. CPB funding then effectively matches that community support, recognizing and reinforcing stations with proven local impact.

The fact that KMUD is able to raise this level of support from our community—even during times of hardship and economic decline—is a true testament to the indispensable services we provide. We are deeply grateful to our supporters and their continued belief in our mission.

In conclusion, while there is still much uncertainty, especially as legal challenges against the Trump administration unfold in the courts in the coming weeks, one thing remains clear: KMUD will continue to serve our community with integrity, thoughtfulness, and dedication. The support we’ve received—from individual donors and from grant programs like the Ink People’s Humboldt Journalism Project, Press Forward, the Humboldt Area Foundation, and others—has put us in a strong position. But the future of community media depends on all of us.

We must all be vocal in reminding policymakers that independent media is essential—especially in rural areas where mainstream news outlets often fall short. Continued bipartisan support is critical to sustaining the services that community stations like KMUD provide.

I cannot thank our community enough for its unwavering support. Because of it, I will continue to do everything I can to protect our beloved airwaves—your voice in the Redwoods, People Powered Radio: KMUD.

Yours truly,
Lauren Schmitt

PS- If you would like to support Redwood Community Radio, you can do so here: https://kmud.org/donate/