A federal court has permanently halted the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle four federal agencies that serve libraries, minority-owned businesses, workers, and unhoused individuals.
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 20 other state attorneys general. The U.S. District Court in Rhode Island sided with the group’s argument that the executive order behind the agency shutdowns was unconstitutional and violated federal law.
The court’s decision prevents the administration from moving forward with plans to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Minority Business Development Agency, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
The coalition argued that only Congress has the power to create or dissolve federal agencies, and that the president cannot unilaterally erase services authorized and funded by lawmakers.
The lawsuit was co-led by attorneys general from New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii, with support from 18 additional states.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].