Washington, D.C. – A nationwide coalition behind a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps is seeking a preliminary injunction that would stop devastating budget cuts to the nation’s flagship civil service program. They are represented by Democracy Forward, Democracy Defenders Fund, and Lowell & Associates.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeks to block the administration’s attempt to dismantle the AmeriCorps without congressional authorization and is being brought by community organizations from across the country, along with individual youth plaintiffs who participate in AmeriCorps and the AmeriCorps Employees Union, AFSCME Local 2027. 

“The President does not have unilateral power to cut or end the AmeriCorps grants and service programs. This action – if allowed to proceed – would unlawfully deprive communities of critical services and opportunities provided through this renowned civil service program, including education access, housing support, and youth mentorship,” said Elena Goldstein, Legal Director for Democracy Forward. 

“We hope this action can bring relief to the millions impacted by the AmeriCorps cuts, including the thousands of young adults around the nation who answered the call to provide public services to communities across America before they were abruptly and needlessly sent home,” said Brenna Frey, Counsel at Lowell and Associates.

“The president is trying to wipe out AmeriCorps in defiance of the law. If he’s successful, this will hurt communities in every corner of the country,” said Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund. “From rural towns to tribal nations to urban neighborhoods, AmeriCorps is often the first line of assistance for people in need. You don’t get to erase that on a whim. That’s not how the Constitution works, and we’re going to court again to demonstrate it.”

“We have filed this lawsuit to stand up to this illegal assault on the essential work we do. From providing mentors and educational support to students to rebuilding communities after disasters, AmeriCorps participants and other AmeriCorps grantees’ programs form the backbone of public service, and our union members are proud to make that service possible” said Kelly Daly, AFSCME Local 2027 president. “We have dedicated our lives to helping working families and those most vulnerable get ahead, especially when they fall on hard times. Without AmeriCorps, families will go without homes. Kids will lose aftercare programming. Seniors will lose companion care, and our communities will suffer. We’re fighting back.”

Plaintiffs in the case include AmeriCorps Employees Union AFSCME Local 2027, Aspire Afterschool Learning, Bur Oak Land Trust, Democracy Maine, Elev8 Baltimore, HandsOn Suburban Chicago, Housing and Community Development Network of NJ, Michigan College Access Network, National College Attainment Network, North Carolina Housing Coalition, Partners for Campus-Community Engagement, Rainbow Labs, Red Cloud Indian School, Seed Coalition, and The Service Collaborative of WNY. 

You can read the full complaint here and the memo in support of a preliminary injunction here. 

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org. 

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.