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Sony Pictures Entertainment’s film chair, Tom Rothman, has taken legal action against the Trump administration following his abrupt removal from the board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Rothman asserts that the president lacks the legal authority to terminate his position.
Joining Rothman in the lawsuit is the CPB itself, alongside two other board members who were also dismissed. The legal documents, acquired by TheWrap, detail the claims being brought forward.
The lawsuit contends that President Trump “has no power to remove or terminate CPB’s Board members.” It emphasizes that the CPB was established by Congress as a private corporation designed to foster public telecommunications while ensuring substantial protection from external influences and control.
The argument points out that since the CPB functions as a private entity rather than a federal body, its board members are not classified as federal officers, thus placing them beyond the reach of presidential authority. Rothman was appointed by President Biden in 2021 and subsequently confirmed by Congress the following year, with his term slated to end in 2026, as noted here.
Details regarding the compensation for CPB board members are not made available to the public due to the organization’s private status. Generally, these positions are viewed as roles in public service and are often unpaid or accompanied by minimal stipends.
The lawsuit, lodged in a federal district court in Washington, D.C., aims to declare the email notification of the board members’ termination as “of no legal effect.” Additionally, it seeks a restraining order to prevent further action by the defendants and requests that the CPB be reimbursed for costs and attorney’s fees related to the case.
As of Tuesday, neither the White House press office nor President Trump had released any statements concerning the lawsuit.
Source
www.thewrap.com