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Oregon joined a 25-state lawsuit yesterday challenging one of Trump’s illegal executive orders (EOs). The EO terminated AmeriCorps grants and reduced the agency’s workforce by 85 percent.
Oregon Joins Lawsuit To Set Aside AmeriCorps Cancellation EO
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield confirmed that Oregon is now a plaintiff in the multistate lawsuit, which asks the US court for the District of Maryland to declare the decision to dismantle AmeriCorps and actions taken to effectuate unlawful and/or unconstitutional and to vacate the decision to dismantle AmeriCorps and actions taken to effectuate it.
They also ask that the defendants- the Corporation For National Community Service operating as AmeriCorps and its head, Jennifer B Tahmasebi pay their reasonable fees, costs, and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.
With the responsibility of tasked with engaging Americans in meaningful public service that directly addresses educational, public safety, and environmental needs in local communities, AmeriCorps members and volunteers:
- Connect veterans to essential services,
- Fight the opioid epidemic,
- Help older adults age with dignity,
- Rebuild communities after disasters,
- Improve the physical and mental well-being of millions of Americans.
The Trump Administration issued an executive order in early February directing every federal agency to plan to reduce the size of its workforce and prepare to initiate large-scale reductions in force.
At least 85% of AmeriCorps workforce was placed on administrative leave and notified that they would be terminated by June 24.
The federal government notified Oregon on April 25 that it terminated its AmeriCorps grant programs.
The funding supports volunteer and service efforts. The EO effectively ended the AmeriCorps program, which provides opportunities for over 200,000 Americans to serve their communities.
In the lawsuit, the states argue that by abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps’ workforce, the Trump Administration is effectively shuttering the national volunteer agency and ending the states’ abilities to support AmeriCorps programs.
They also assert that the Trump Administration acted illegally in gutting AmeriCorps, as this violates both the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers under the US Constitution.
As Congress created AmeriCorps and the programs it administers, the President cannot incapacitate the agency’s ability to administer appropriated grants or carry out statutorily assigned duties.
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