• Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration.
• The administration is accused of dismantling AmeriCorps by drastically cutting its budget and workforce.
• AmeriCorps has placed 85% of its staff on administrative leave, affecting numerous community service programs.

On April 29, a coalition of 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that it has effectively dismantled AmeriCorps by abrupt grant cancellations and severe workforce reductions. The plaintiffs argue that the administration lacks the constitutional authority to take such actions, as AmeriCorps was created and funded by Congress, according to Reuters.

The lawsuit points out that already, 85% of AmeriCorps employees have been placed on administrative leave, a move that comes after the agency announced plans to terminate $400 million in grants, which support various community service initiatives across the nation. Notably, this is part of President Trump's broader push toward federal cost-cutting, led by the Department of Government Efficiency under high-profile adviser Elon Musk, as stated in a report by The Hill.

Criticism from state officials has been vocal, with New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stating, “AmeriCorps volunteers serve our communities every single day, and we will stand up for the critical programs AmeriCorps supports,” emphasizing the detrimental impact these cuts could have on public safety, education, and disaster response services, according to CBS News.

The lawsuit also alleges that the Trump's administration's actions violate the constitutional principle of separation of powers, arguing that their attempts to modify or eliminate AmeriCorps funding undermine the legal frameworks established by Congress. The cuts have been linked to claims of prior fiscal mismanagement within AmeriCorps, including failed audits, but many argue that these concerns do not justify the drastic actions taken, as highlighted in the reports by both Reuters and The Hill.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed strong opposition to these measures, stating that they “vandalize our values,” and he asserts the need for protecting programs vital to community service efforts in California and beyond. Newsom also noted that over 4,397,674 service hours were completed by California’s AmeriCorps volunteers in the previous year, underscoring the critical role these programs play in society, according to CBS News.