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BALTIMORE, MD – 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.
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