Attorney General Charity Clark, alongside a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to an Executive Order issued in March. The order proposes dismantling three federal agencies: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). These agencies offer services and funding support to public libraries, museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses across the nation.
The coalition's lawsuit aims to halt any actions stemming from the Executive Order, which could lead to significant cutbacks in funding for state libraries and museums. Attorney General Clark explained, "Vermonters know that libraries are the heart of our towns and rural communities, and this executive order would threaten their continued health. For some, gutting these grants could jeopardize their very survival."
Mary Danko, President of the Vermont Library Association, expressed concern over potential harms to Vermont's libraries, stating that the order could "strip away critical funding that supports access to information, literacy programs, digital equity, and community connections.” Danko emphasized, “Libraries are where democracy lives—open to all, grounded in truth, and powered by curiosity."
The attorneys general argue that the Executive Order, by attempting to dismantle these agencies, conflicts with constitutional provisions and circumvents Congressional authority on federal fund allocation. "The fiscal impact of the Trump Administration’s attempt to cut MBDA and FMCS is smaller, but it is certain to create harms and losses," Clark added.
The lawsuit signifies a continued legal battle against the Trump administration's policies, marking the ninth case brought by Attorney General Clark since President Trump's inauguration. The coalition includes attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
For detailed information about the ongoing legal actions taken by the Attorney General on behalf of Vermonters, resources are available at ago.vermont.gov/ago-actions.