PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today, as part of a multistate coalition, filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s termination of AmeriCorps grants and the dismantling of the agency though an 85% reduction of its workforce, effectively ending the agency’s ability to continue administering the programs, operations, and funding that make its important work possible.
AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency tasked with engaging Americans in meaningful community-based service that directly address the country’s educational, public safety, and environmental needs — every year, the agency provides opportunities for more than 200,000 Americans to serve their communities.
“AmeriCorps represents the best of our nation – providing opportunities for millions of Americans to serve their neighbors and communities and make our country a better place to live,” said Attorney General Mayes. “By unilaterally gutting this Congressionally authorized agency, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have yet again violated the law and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. Their illegal actions will harm Arizona communities.”
BACKGROUND
AmeriCorps support national and state community service programs by providing opportunities for Americans to serve communities and by awarding grants to local and national organizations and agencies which use funding to address critical community needs. These organizations and agencies use AmeriCorps funding to recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members nationwide. AmeriCorps members and volunteers have connected veterans to essential services, fought the opioid epidemic, helped older adults age with dignity, rebuilt communities after disasters, and improved the physical and mental well-being of millions of Americans.
“Studies show that AmeriCorps programs generate as much as $34.26 return on investment for every dollar spent,” said Attorney General Mayes. “Slashing these programs serves no purpose and is incredibly short-sighted from those claiming to champion efficiency.”
In early February, the Trump Administration issued an executive order directing every federal agency to plan to reduce the size of its workforce and prepare to initiate in large-scale reductions in force. Since then, AmeriCorps has placed at least 85% of its workforce on administrative leave immediately and notified employees that they would be terminated effective June 24, 2025.
On April 25th, Arizona received notice from the federal government of termination of its AmeriCorps grant programs which support volunteer and service effort.
LAWSUIT
In the complaint today, Attorney General Mayes and a multistate coalition argue that by abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps’ workforce, the Trump Administration is effectively shuttering the national volunteer agency and ending states’ abilities to support AmeriCorps programs within their borders.
The coalition establishes that the Trump Administration has acted unlawfully in its gutting of AmeriCorps, violating both the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution. Congress has created AmeriCorps and the programs it administers, and the President cannot incapacitate the agency’s ability to administer appropriated grants or carry out statutorily assigned duties. Further, by dismantling AmeriCorps and its programs, which are creatures of Congress, The Trump Administration’s has violated the Executive Branch’s obligation to take care that the law is faithfully executed.
Arizona Impacts:
- Northern Arizona University, Arizona Teacher’s Residency: $700,000
- Strengthening Arizona’s teacher pipeline to address teacher shortages.
- Area Agency on Aging, Caring Circles: $308,000
- Providing social support to older Arizonans such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping and help with technology.
- Vista College Preparatory, Tutoring and Teacher Support: $495,000
- Providing targeted tutoring in math and reading for low-income students.
These represent just a few of the programs in Arizona that will see budget cuts due to the actions of the Trump administration.
In bringing today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Mayes joins the attorneys general of Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and the states of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
A copy of the complaint will be available below as soon as possible.