Washington Attorney General Nick Brown announced that he has joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration over an executive order aimed at dismantling three key federal agencies that provide critical support to public libraries, minority-owned businesses, and labor relations nationwide.
The lawsuit, filed in response to the March executive order, seeks to block what the coalition describes as the illegal dismantling of agencies established by Congress: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
“Communities throughout Washington benefit from the work of these agencies to support libraries, promote minority-owned businesses, and protect workers’ rights,” said Maryland Attorney Brown. “Trump claims he’s carving up wasteful spending, but in reality, he’s illegally gutting popular programs that support people with limited resources in our towns and cities.”
“The Trump Administration is once again violating the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law by attempting to unilaterally shut down agencies the President doesn’t like, including agencies that give the public access to facts, knowledge, and cultural heritage for free or at low cost,” said California Attorney General Bonta. “Dismantling these agencies would have a devastating impact on the public and on states across the nation — they provide important services for Americans and collectively provide billions of dollars to States to support libraries and museums, innovation and entrepreneurship for disadvantaged businesses, and help resolve labor disputes. The Order also threatens the livelihoods of federal workers employed at these agencies, once again flying in the face of the President’s promise to ease the financial burden felt by American families. The Trump Administration’s actions to strip these agencies down to their studs is blatantly illegal. As the President continues to flout his duty to the American people and the rule of law, I will continue to stand with my fellow attorneys general to uphold the Constitution and protect the crucial services that Californians rely on.”
“As the President and his Administration continue their attempts to dismantle the federal government, Americans would do well to consider their priorities,” said State of Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha. “What do these three agencies have in common? At first glance, maybe little. But if you take a closer look, you may realize that all three agencies empower everyday people in this country to access their full potential, whether it be through knowledge, workers’ rights, or small business support. By unlawfully attacking these agencies, they are attempting to stifle the American dream. We won’t let them, and neither should you.”
The order has already triggered wide-reaching consequences. IMLS, which provides grant funding and support to libraries and museums across the country, has placed most of its staff on administrative leave and halted hundreds of grants—threatening library programs and staff nationwide. In 2024 alone, IMLS invested $180 million through its Grants to States Program.
The MBDA, a vital support agency for minority entrepreneurs, has been reduced from 40 staffers to just five and has largely stopped issuing new grants. FMCS, responsible for mediating labor disputes and supporting collective bargaining, has seen its workforce slashed from roughly 200 to fewer than 15 employees, jeopardizing its core mission.
The lawsuit argues that President Trump’s executive order violates both the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by unilaterally dismantling agencies and programs without Congressional approval. The attorneys general contend that only Congress has the authority to determine how federal funds are allocated and spent.
“The president cannot shutdown congressionally established federal agencies with a stroke of a Sharpie. The president cannot decide to unilaterally override laws governing federal spending. This executive order unconstitutionally overrides Congress’s power to decide how federal funds are spent,” said Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. “By joining this lawsuit, we are standing up for museums like History Colorado, as well as libraries, workers, and minority businesses.”
The legal challenge is led by New York, Hawaii, and Rhode Island, and includes the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
