Democratic states sue Trump over AmeriCorps cuts in explosive legal showdown

On Tuesday, April 30, 24 Democratic-led U.S. states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of unlawfully dismantling AmeriCorps—a federally funded national service program supporting hundreds of thousands of community volunteers.

The suit, filed in Baltimore, claims Trump exceeded his authority by canceling grants and slashing 85% of the AmeriCorps workforce, moves carried out through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by billionaire adviser Elon Musk. The states argue that such drastic cuts to a Congress-created agency violate the U.S. Constitution.

What AmeriCorps does

AmeriCorps, with a $1 billion budget and more than 500 employees as of Trump’s January inauguration, has long funded community service projects across the country. Its grants support organizations working in:

• Education

• Disaster response

• Public health

• Conservation

Each year, over 200,000 volunteers deliver meals to seniors, tutor students, rebuild after disasters, and more—often in underserved communities.

What the lawsuit alleges

The plaintiffs claim that Trump’s administration acted without Congressional approval, in violation of separation of powers. They say the abrupt cancellation of nearly $400 million in grants and the mass layoff of AmeriCorps workers, effective June 24, are part of a broader effort to shrink the federal government.

“This was done without any concern for the thousands of people ready and eager to serve their country,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who co-leads the lawsuit.

White House response

In defense, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said AmeriCorps had “failed eight consecutive audits” and identified $45 million in improper payments in 2024 alone. She said Trump’s executive order in February directing mass federal workforce reductions was legal.

“President Trump has the legal right to restore accountability to the entire executive branch,” Kelly stated.

Fallout

Over 1,000 programs nationwide have received cancellation notices, leaving many nonprofits and local communities in limbo. The legal challenge marks a high-stakes constitutional battle that could shape the future of federal service programs in the U.S.