States Sue Trump Administration Over AmeriCorps Cuts
By Hannah Fingerhut
Approximately two dozen states, predominantly led by Democrats, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for its abrupt dismantling of AmeriCorps, the 30-year-old federal volunteer service agency. The lawsuit claims that recent cost-cutting measures implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency have illegally undermined AmeriCorps, which was allocated $557 million this year for its programs.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser criticized the administration’s actions, stating that over 85% of AmeriCorps staff were placed on administrative leave, and many were notified of impending layoffs. "We are suing to stop this illegal dismantling of AmeriCorps and preserve community service in our nation," Weiser noted.
The cuts impacted $370 million in competitive grant funding, crucial for various state projects, including services for veterans and after-school programs. Grantees received notifications of terminations on a Friday, which left many communities uncertain about the future of vital services. Rachel Bruns of America’s Service Commissions reported inconsistencies in funding cuts across states. "We don’t know what this means for these services," she remarked. AmeriCorps plays a key role in mobilizing approximately 200,000 corps members across the country.
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