BALTIMORE – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today won a court order that blocks the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.
On April 29, Attorney General Brown co-led a coalition of 23 other attorneys general—joined by the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania—in challenging the administration’s plans to eliminate nearly 90 percent of AmeriCorps’ workforce, abruptly cancel its contracts, and close $400 million worth of AmeriCorps-supported programs. Attorney General Brown and the coalition sought a preliminary injunction to immediately stop the closure of programs in plaintiff states. Today the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted the preliminary injunction, restoring all programs that had been terminated in plaintiff states, and ordering the reinstatement of over 750 National Civilian Community Corps members.
“AmeriCorps programs provide critical resources that Maryland communities rely on to educate our students, preserve our parks, and feed our families through the dedicated service of selfless public servants who tutor children, care for the elderly, and protect public lands,” said Attorney General Brown. “This ruling safeguards these life-changing services that help build a better Maryland. As this case continues, I will do everything in my power to defend these essential programs from the Trump administration’s unlawful and reckless cuts.”
Attorney General Brown and the coalition successfully argued that the Trump administration’s attacks on AmeriCorps are illegal. By closing $400 million worth of AmeriCorps programs without explanation, the Trump administration harmed States that administer those programs as well as K–12 students, vulnerable seniors, and others who depend upon their services.
A federal judge found that the Trump administration’s actions were unlawful because Congress explicitly required that the agency provide advance notice and an opportunity to comment on an any major changes to AmeriCorps services. The Trump administration ignored this clear legal requirement, and as a consequence, the Court granted relief to the Plaintiff states.
Today’s order restores vital AmeriCorps programs in Maryland, including Appalachian Service Through Action and Resources (run by Frostburg State University). This program and others like it serve Marylanders by teaching our public school students, and operating food banks to feed the most vulnerable among us. The court’s decision preliminarily stops the Trump administration from terminating these essential programs while the litigation continues.
Attorney General Brown was joined in filing the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
AmeriCorps history is littered with fraud and mismanagement years before Trump got into office. Dems will support anything as long as it’s the enemy of their enemy.
Go trump get rid of these wasted program they’re give aways for them
But he was blocked on this so… no go 😂
“AmeriCorps programs provide critical resources that Maryland communities rely on”
Seems AG Brown-noser missed adding the part about “they provide critical resources to politicians’ and others’ pockets”.
GOOD