BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a coalition of states, has taken legal action to prevent the Trump administration from cutting federal funding for public humanities programs that benefit communities nationwide. The coalition filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the National Endowment for the Humanities’ (NEH) sudden cancellation of crucial funding for state humanities councils.

“Defunding state humanities councils jeopardizes vital programs that help Marylanders connect with our shared history and culture,” said Maryland Attorney General Brown. “These programs are especially important for students, who rely on them to understand and explore our past. We’re taking action to ensure that the Trump administration upholds the law and continues to support these educational initiatives that strengthen communities and preserve our heritage.”

The NEH’s “Fed/State Partnership” program, which has been funded annually since 1972, was designed to ensure that every state receives access to high-quality, community-based humanities programming. However, earlier this year, the NEH made significant cuts to support state humanities councils, forcing many of them to cancel programs, furlough staff, and scale back educational offerings.

In the amicus brief, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, the coalition argues that the administration’s actions:

Violate federal law by disregarding Congress’s mandate to fund state humanities councils and by failing to follow required procedures for terminating grants.
Overstep constitutional boundaries, infringing on Congress’s power over federal spending and violating the separation of powers and the Take Care Clause of the Constitution.
Cause irreparable harm to state councils, local organizations, schools, and libraries that rely on NEH funding to deliver essential programs in civic education, cultural heritage, history, literature, and more.

Maryland’s humanities council serves tens of thousands of residents through various programs, including festivals, digital initiatives, and partnerships with local media outlets like Maryland Public Television and WYPR. Additionally, Maryland Humanities collaborates with the Maryland State Department of Education to produce Maryland History Day, an event in which thousands of middle and high school students create original projects based on annual historical themes.

A hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for August 4 at 9 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon.

“These cuts don’t just break the law, they break faith with communities who rely on these programs to learn, reflect, and connect,” said Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. “Oregon is proud to lead this effort because we know how vital the humanities are to civic life. People deserve better than a backdoor decision that wipes out decades of progress.”

“Arizonans and Americans did not vote for this. Congress did not approve this. The Trump Administration does not have the unilateral authority to steal this funding from the states,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.

Attorney General Brown is joined in filing the brief by the attorneys general of Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

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