Landmark Action Brought By Community Organizations & Others Across Nation
Washington, D.C. – Today, as the nation commemorates Public Service Recognition Week, a nationwide coalition filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging its attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps, the nation’s flagship civil service program. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeks to block the administration’s attempt to dismantle the program without congressional authorization. It is 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 lawsuit alleges the administration does not have unilateral power to cut or end the AmeriCorps grants and service programs, and that doing so would unlawfully deprives communities of critical services and opportunities provided through AmeriCorps, including education access, housing support, and youth mentorship. As the lawsuit explains:
“In the last thirty years, AmeriCorps has served hundreds of communities in all 50 states and U.S. territories, and made a difference in countless lives. It has conserved lands for use by farmers, hunters, and hikers, provided after-school care to help students from all backgrounds succeed in school, and afforded medical care to seniors and others who might otherwise not have had treatment. All of this progress now hangs in the balance as Defendants work to dismantle the Agency.”
Plaintiffs, represented by Democracy Forward, Democracy Defenders Fund, and Lowell & Associates, 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.
“These unlawful and haphazard decisions by the President are not making anyone’s lives easier. In their latest attempt to undermine the public service values that are core to our democracy, the Trump administration has gutted Americorps, which has a proven track record of supporting and improving communities across our nation — more than we can say about the policies of this administration. Democracy Forward is honored to work with our partners to challenge the lawlessness of the Trump-Vance agenda,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward.
“AmeriCorps members are the backbone of community service in this country — mentoring students, aiding families, and making urban neighborhoods and rural areas strong,” said Norm Eisen, executive chair of the Democracy Defenders Fund. “The Trump Administration’s attempt to dismantle this program isn’t just illegal. It’s an attack on one of the most fundamental American ideas: that we Americans help each other. We’re proud to stand with our partners in court to defend the rule of law and protect these vital services.”
“We are filing this lawsuit today 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, AmeriCorps Employees Union 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.”
You can read the full complaint here.
– # # # –
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.
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.
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.