Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has joined a coalition of 19 other state attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. The coalition aims to halt the implementation of an Executive Order that seeks to dismantle three federal agencies which provide crucial services and funding for public libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, and worker protections nationwide.
In March, the Trump administration released an Executive Order targeting agencies established by Congress, threatening to withdraw hundreds of millions in funding critical to state programs. As a result of this order, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), one of the agencies affected, has placed almost its entire staff on administrative leave and plans to cut hundreds of grants to state libraries and museums.
The coalition's objective is to prevent the elimination of the IMLS, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) highlighted in the Executive Order. These organizations are vital to many Americans, particularly in underserved communities.
AG Campbell voiced her concerns, stating, "From the Berkshires to Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to some of the best public libraries and museums in the country that employ residents, provide educational opportunities and resources, and drive our creative economy. As we continue to address issues of affordability, we once again have to hold the Trump Administration accountable for unlawful actions directed at our economy and cultural institutions."
The lawsuit argues that the dismantling of these agencies would cause significant harm to communities across the nation. These agencies are responsible for crucial services such as library funding, support for minority-owned businesses, and protection of workers' rights.
In 2024, the IMLS invested $180 million into libraries across the country through its Grants to States Program, support which is now at risk due to the Executive Order. Additionally, the Trump Administration has drastically reduced the staff of the MBDA and curtailed the issuance of new grants, impacting vulnerable small businesses. The FMCS has seen its staff cut from around 200 to less than 15, with core programs terminated, challenging the ability of unionized workers to protect their rights.
The coalition argues that the Executive Order contravenes the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by eliminating agency programs without consideration for existing laws and regulations linked to federal funding. It also contends that the President does not have the unilateral power to override spending laws established by Congress.
The lawsuit is spearheaded by the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. Also joining are the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.