Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul has filed a lawsuit alongside a coalition of 25 states and attorneys general. The legal action challenges the Trump administration's termination of AmeriCorps grants and the significant reduction of the agency's workforce by 85%. This reduction effectively stops AmeriCorps' ability to manage its programs, operations, and funding.
Raoul states, "Since 1993, approximately 1.3 million Americans have patriotically served their communities through AmeriCorps, assisting veterans and children and protecting the environment." He further adds, "The gutting of AmeriCorps is the latest example of the Trump administration’s disregard for the Constitution to achieve their political goals. I will continue to fight back against these illegal and meritless decisions that will have real negative consequences across our country."
AmeriCorps, known for supporting community service programs on a national and state level, faces challenges as it aids in addressing various public needs. Annually, it engages over 200,000 Americans in community service, connecting veterans to services, combating the opioid crisis, aiding older adults, rebuilding communities post-disasters, and improving the well-being of Americans.
The lawsuit points out that the Trump administration issued an executive order in February, directing federal agencies to reduce workforce size, resulting in AmeriCorps placing at least 85% of its workforce on administrative leave. The federal government notified Illinois in April that 28 programs would be cut, affecting 632 workers and volunteers.
Raoul and other states argue that the sudden cancellation of critical grants and workforce reduction essentially shuts down the agency and prevents states from supporting AmeriCorps programs. They claim the Trump administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution by incapacitating AmeriCorps' ability to administer grants and execute its duties.
The lawsuit, filed alongside Raoul, includes attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the states of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.