A federal judge on Thursday issued a decisive ruling that prevents the Trump administration from dismantling AmeriCorps programs in two dozen Democratic-led states, marking a significant setback in President Donald Trump’s agenda to reduce the size of the federal government.
The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, follows a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia against the administration in April. The lawsuit alleged that the Department of Government Efficiency had unlawfully stripped the volunteer agency of its resources.
Under the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency, AmeriCorps terminated approximately $400 million in grants, affecting more than 1,000 grantees and 32,000 AmeriCorps members, representing nearly half of the agency’s grant funds.
Legal Implications and Reinstatement
Judge Boardman’s ruling indicated that the administration likely violated the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to provide an adequate notice-and-comment period. As a result, the administration is required to reinstate the affected AmeriCorps programs in the 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia.
However, the ruling did not address the extensive personnel reductions at the agency, which have impacted 85% of the workforce. The judge stipulated that members from the Volunteers in Service to America and National Civilian Community Corps must be reinstated by the administration.
Responding to the ruling, Anna Kelly, a spokesperson for the White House, emphasized that this decision is not final. She cited AmeriCorps’ repeated audit failures and substantial improper payments identified in recent years, asserting President Trump’s commitment to restoring accountability across the Executive Branch.
Appeals and Implementation Challenges
The administration has the option to appeal the ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Boardman set a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday for the reinstatement of grants. However, given the limited staff remaining at the agency, there are concerns about the practicality of meeting this deadline.
One AmeriCorps staff member, who was placed on administrative leave, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the reinstatement process, highlighting the logistical challenges faced by the agency in executing this directive.
As the situation unfolds, the future of AmeriCorps programs in the affected states remains uncertain, pending potential legal developments and logistical considerations.
