On Tuesday, Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit alleging that the Trump administration had effectively dismantled AmeriCorps by abruptly canceling grants and reducing the workforce of the federal agency for national service and volunteering by 85%.
24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in federal court in Baltimore, arguing that Republican President Donald Trump lacks the authority under the U.S. Constitution to eliminate AmeriCorps, which was established by Congress.
Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire adviser Elon Musk, are undertaking an unprecedented initiative to reduce the federal government’s spending and workforce. This initiative includes the elimination of the agency’s grants and the reduction of its workforce.
AmeriCorps had over 500 employees and a budget of approximately $1 billion at the time of Trump’s inauguration.
Its grants provide funding to local and national organizations that provide community services in the areas of education, disaster preparedness, conservation, and other topics.
During the wildfires that occurred in the Los Angeles region earlier this year, AmeriCorps members provided assistance to families by distributing supplies.
In a statement, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is co-leading the lawsuit, has accused DOGE of “dismantling AmeriCorps without any concern for the thousands of people who are ready and eager to serve their country—or for those whose communities are stronger because of this public service.”
AmeriCorps and the White House declined to respond to inquiries for comment.
In February, Trump signed an executive order that instructed federal agencies to devise strategies for workforce reduction and prepare for mass redundancies, which are referred to as “reductions in force” in government jargon.
AmeriCorps has since placed at least 85% of its employees on administrative leave and informed them that they would be terminated effective June 24.
The agency initiated the process of issuing notices last week regarding the termination of nearly $400 million in AmeriCorps grant programs, which are designed to facilitate volunteer and service endeavors. According to the lawsuit, 1,031 programs received notices of program termination and grant cancellations.
The lawsuit, which is jointly led by the attorneys general of California, Delaware, and Maryland, asserts that the administration has violated the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution by impeding its ability to administer grants appropriated by Congress or fulfill statutory obligations.
Its programs mobilize over 200,000 volunteers across the country to assist with a variety of services, including the delivery of meals to seniors, the response to local disasters, and the support of after-school programs.
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