California's Attorney General Bonta has joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. This legal action challenges the Executive Order No. 14238, which directs several federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to eliminate non-essential functions and reduce their staffing to the legal minimum. The executive order also affects the Minority Business Development Agency and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
Attorney General Bonta stated, "The Trump Administration is once again violating the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law by attempting to unilaterally shut down agencies the President doesn’t like, including agencies that give the public access to facts, knowledge, and cultural heritage for free or at low cost." He further argued the dismantling of these agencies would have widespread negative effects. They provide crucial services for Americans, including billions in support for libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, and labor dispute resolutions.
The Minority Business Development Agency has already placed nearly all its personnel on administrative leave, severely impairing its capacity to support over 70 public-private business centers nationwide. Similarly, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, which mediates labor disputes, has drastically cut its staff and suspended many of its functions.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an organization aimed at supporting libraries and museums, faces significant reductions. This includes placing 85% of its staff on administrative leave and curtailing grant administration. The Institute has previously allocated substantial funds, such as $180 million to libraries in 2024, which now are jeopardized.
California, with its 1,127 libraries and 17,000 library staff, faces potentially devastating effects. The state's libraries, serving 23 million cardholders, rely on funds that provide educational programs and other essential services. The executive order affects not only libraries but also threatens support for major Californian museums.
The lawsuit contends that the President's order contravenes the laws creating these agencies and oversteps the limits of executive power. It argues against the order's implementation, claiming it violates constitutional clauses and exceeds the executive's authority under the Impoundment Control Act.
Bonta is joined in the lawsuit by attorneys general from 20 other states, including New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.