Washington state, others suing Trump administration over order gutting AmeriCorps

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown and two dozen states are suing the Trump administration over an executive order gutting AmeriCorps.

In February, the Trump administration announced a significant reduction in AmeriCorps’ workforce by 85% via executive order.

Last week, Washington state was notified AmeriCorps’ grant programs, which fund volunteer efforts, had been fully terminated.

AmeriCorps funds volunteer efforts across the country helping education, public safety, and environmental needs in communities.

According to AG Brown, the Trump administration act illegally in gutting AmeriCorps by violating the Administrative Procedures Act and the Constitution.

The multi-state lawsuit includes Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

“AmeriCorps provides hope and belonging in American communities nationwide. It gives inspiration and purpose to the young people who join its ranks annually,” AG Brown said. “But the president thinks public programs and public dollars are his to do with what he will, snatching them up through the same scheming that federal courts have already said is likely illegal.”