Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has aligned with a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two governors in a legal challenge against the Trump Administration. The lawsuit targets the administration’s decision to end AmeriCorps grants and drastically reduce the agency's workforce by 85%. This action is poised to hinder the agency’s capacity to manage its programs effectively.
AmeriCorps serves as an independent federal agency that mobilizes Americans for community service, addressing educational, public safety, and environmental needs. It engages over 200,000 Americans annually and supports local and national organizations with grants to meet essential community requirements. AmeriCorps participants have addressed veteran needs, tackled the opioid crisis, aided senior citizens, and contributed to rebuilding efforts after disasters.
AG Campbell emphasized the value of AmeriCorps to Massachusetts, stating that it provides significant service opportunities in fields such as public health, education, and disaster relief. She added, “I am proud to join my colleagues in pushing back on the Trump Administration’s unlawful efforts to dismantle this service program.”
Following an Executive Order from February, the Trump Administration instructed federal agencies to downsize their workforce. This led AmeriCorps to place a substantial number of its employees on administrative leave, with terminations scheduled for June 2025.
Massachusetts is among the states affected by the termination of AmeriCorps grant programs, which previously ensured over $23 million in support for initiatives within the state. These include services for the City of Boston and the City of Lawrence, alongside a residency program at Framingham State University for aspiring teachers.
The collective complaint details that the abrupt cancellation of grants and workforce reduction undermines both state support and the operational viability of AmeriCorps. The coalition argues the Administration's actions are illegal, contravening the Administrative Procedures Act and breaching constitutional responsibilities by disrupting Congress-established programs.
Additionally, the coalition claims the Trump Administration's steps violate the obligation of the Executive Branch to ensure the law is executed faithfully. Other participants in the lawsuit include the attorneys general of several states like Maryland, Delaware, and California, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.