A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle four federal agencies that provide support for libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, workers, and services for unhoused Americans. This ruling follows a lawsuit spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
On Friday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted summary judgment to a coalition of 21 attorneys general, determining that the administration acted unlawfully in its attempts to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).
Attorney General James hailed the decision as “a major victory,” emphasizing that the administration’s plan posed a threat to “vital resources for workers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“The federal government’s illegal attack on these agencies threatened vital resources for workers, small businesses, and the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Attorney General James. “This is a major victory in our ongoing work to defend important services that New Yorkers rely on every day. I will keep fighting to stop the chaos and destruction of this administration’s attempts to dismantle our government.”
The coalition initially filed the lawsuit in April to prevent the executive order aimed at IMLS, MBDA, and FMCS, contending that the president does not possess the authority to unilaterally dismantle agencies established and funded by Congress. A preliminary injunction was issued in May to halt this effort. In June, the coalition broadened the lawsuit to encompass USICH, which is responsible for coordinating national homelessness prevention initiatives.
“In courts across the country and here in Rhode Island, we continue to find that we are right on the law and right on the principle,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha. “Each of these agencies serve a vital role that the President cannot simply erase with the stroke of a pen. With this order, these four agencies can continue to serve our communities, whether through your neighborhood library, labor dispute arbitration, or support for small businesses. In each case we bring against this Administration, we are standing up for Rhode Islanders to preserve the resources they rely on, and we will continue to do so every time Rhode Islanders’ rights are threatened.”
“While the president may think he is a king, our Constitution says otherwise,” Chicago Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “Today’s ruling is another win for the rule of law and the separation of powers, and I will continue to stand with other attorneys general to challenge this administration’s unlawful attempts to dismantle federal agencies that provide important funding and services to our residents.”
“More and more, courts are rejecting — definitively and permanently — the Trump Administration’s illegal efforts to dismantle our government agencies and strip away the vital services they provide,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Our museums and libraries are how we pass along our knowledge, heritage, and history to each successive generation. I’m proud to protect these important institutions from President Trump’s misguided attacks. As the President seeks to censor speech he does not like, California will continue to defend the free flow of knowledge.”
“Local libraries are invaluable to our communities, and I am relieved the Court has once again ruled in our favor, ensuring federal agencies that provide important services can continue to operate,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “Time and again, the White House has tried to illegally dismantle federal agencies and programs created by Congress, and time and again, my colleagues and I have successfully halted these actions, proving just how crucial litigation against unlawful actions by the Trump Administration is. We remain committed to defending the institutions and services our residents rely on.”
“This ruling protects the child improving their reading skills at their local library, the aspiring entrepreneur counting on federal support to launch their small business, the worker who needs help resolving a dispute with their employer, and the Marylander living on the street whose survival depends on accessing homeless support services,” said Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. “Our lawsuit preserved these essential programs, ensuring they continue helping Marylanders who need it most.”
The court concurred that the administration’s attempt to close down the four agencies infringed upon both the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing congressional authority. Its ruling not only halts the disbandment of these agencies but also prohibits the administration from undertaking any future actions to implement the executive order.
The lawsuit was led by attorneys general from New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, with backing from 18 additional states, including California, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and Washington.
