Appeals Court Blocks Trump Appointee's Takeover of Web Nonprofit (politico.com) 20
transporter_ii shares a report from Politico: A federal appeals court has blocked a bid by one of President Donald Trump's appointees to take over a government-funded nonprofit organization that fosters technology aimed at undermining internet censorship around the globe. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued an order Tuesday morning preventing U.S. Agency for Global Media CEO Michael Pack from installing a hand-picked board to replace the previously existing leadership of the Open Technology Fund. Weeks after his Senate confirmation last month, Pack purged leadership at a series of taxpayer-funded media outlets, including the storied Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia networks, as well as the lesser-known OTF.
Trump has taken the global broadcasters to task for being too critical of the administration and its policies, including its response to the coronavirus. Pack's drive to oust the leaders of the media outlets was seen as an effort to draw friendlier coverage. Veterans of the organizations have said the massive leadership change undermined their traditional independence. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell turned down a request by the existing members of the OTF board to block Pack's move against them. However, in the new appeals court order, the judges from the D.C. Circuit said Pack appeared to lack the same authority over the internet-focused nonprofit that he enjoys over the other federally funded international media organizations. "The government's actions have jeopardized OTF's relationships with its partner organizations, leading its partner organizations to fear for their safety," the D.C. Circuit order said. "Further, absent an injunction during the appellate process, OTF faces an increasing risk that its decision-making will be taken over by the government, that it will suffer reputational harm, and that it will lose the ability to effectively operate in light of the two dueling boards that presently exist." The appeals court order is temporary and does not amount to a final ruling on Pack's authority.
Trump has taken the global broadcasters to task for being too critical of the administration and its policies, including its response to the coronavirus. Pack's drive to oust the leaders of the media outlets was seen as an effort to draw friendlier coverage. Veterans of the organizations have said the massive leadership change undermined their traditional independence. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell turned down a request by the existing members of the OTF board to block Pack's move against them. However, in the new appeals court order, the judges from the D.C. Circuit said Pack appeared to lack the same authority over the internet-focused nonprofit that he enjoys over the other federally funded international media organizations. "The government's actions have jeopardized OTF's relationships with its partner organizations, leading its partner organizations to fear for their safety," the D.C. Circuit order said. "Further, absent an injunction during the appellate process, OTF faces an increasing risk that its decision-making will be taken over by the government, that it will suffer reputational harm, and that it will lose the ability to effectively operate in light of the two dueling boards that presently exist." The appeals court order is temporary and does not amount to a final ruling on Pack's authority.
Whiney Little Bitch (Score:4, Insightful)
Instead of protecting America, Trump goes after the organizations that report the staggering death toll that his incompetence response to the pandemic has has caused.
The only thing more depressing is the inevitable Twitter rant that will further demonstrate the severe mental decline that has defined the Trump presidency.
Re: (Score:2)
Why won't he go after organizations that prevent the timely reporting of dupes on Slashdot?
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Dupe or not, we still secretly love the staff, because otherwise there would be no Slashdot.
Dupe? (Score:2)
Didn't I just read this further down the page...?
Re: (Score:2)
Yes.
Re: (Score:2)
Didn't I just read this further down the page...?
Super Duper!
What twice blocked on the same day?!? (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm on crack (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Ah. So you don't know what 'censorship' means.
Re: (Score:2)
both sides, beware of this (Score:2)
This ruling says less about the facts and more about politics than partisans on either side might think - This is the court that Democrats were so determined to take over that then-Senate-Majority-Leader Harry Reid eliminated the judicial appointee filibuster rules to achieve. This court is so valued to the Dems because it handles most appeals related to limits on federal government power and thus has the potential to limit the expansion of the federal government (which used to make it a court that Republic