Washington, D.C. – A federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted a preliminary injunction halting the Trump Administration’s plan to dismantle AmeriCorps operations. 

This ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed by AmeriCorps grantees, sponsors, service members and the AmeriCorps Employees Union AFSCME Local 2027, who have come together to challenge the administration’s April 2025 actions to eliminate nearly 90% of AmeriCorps’ workforce, cancel more than a thousand grants, and decimate the NCCC by prematurely pulling service members out of the field in the middle of critical projects. They are represented by Democracy Forward, Democracy Defenders Fund, AFSCME, and Lowell & Associates. 

“The President does not have unilateral power to cut or end AmeriCorps grants and service programs. We are grateful that the court has recognized that the government’s actions would unlawfully deprive communities of critical services and opportunities provided through this renowned service program,” said Elena Goldstein, Legal Director for Democracy Forward. “Democracy Forward is proud to work with community organizations from across the country, AFSCME Local 2027, and individual youth plaintiffs in this case.”

“This decision provides relief to the AmeriCorps employees who have been blocked from doing their essential work, the jobs they love doing,” said AFSCME Local 2027 President Kelly Daly. “We have dedicated our careers to public service, helping working families nationwide recover from disasters, escape poverty and support themselves for the long term. This ruling means we can keep showing up for our communities when they need us most. We’re not just fighting for jobs — we’re fighting for the people who depend on us every day.”

“Today’s ruling is an important victory for communities across the country that rely on the work of AmeriCorps,” said Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund. “From rural towns to tribal nations to urban neighborhoods, AmeriCorps provides critical services to people in need. This ruling makes clear that you don’t get to erase that on a whim – an illegal one.” 

“This decision is the latest to demonstrate that the Administration’s effort to scuttle important agencies and programs on which millions of Americans rely will not succeed.  We look forward to making this relief permanent,” said Abbe Lowell, founding partner at Lowell & Associates, PLLC.

The ruling can be found here.

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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. 

Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.

Lowell & Associates, PLLC provides strategic and principled legal representation across civil, criminal, compliance, congressional and regulatory matters. The firm brings a deep understanding of both the law and the broader context in which our clients operate, serving individuals, businesses and institutions that value experienced counsel and effective advocacy in today’s legal environment.