James Halts Trump Admin’s Agency Shutdown

New York – In a decisive victory for public service and cultural heritage, Attorney General Letitia James has secured a court order halting the Trump administration’s dismantling of three critical federal agencies.

The agencies targeted—Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS)—were set to be disbanded by Executive Order. AG James, leading a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, filed suit against the administration in April.

The preliminary injunction issued today by the District Court for Rhode Island protects these agencies from dismantling, citing violations of the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional disregard for Congressionally established funds.

IMLS alone provided $180 million in library funding nationwide last year, with New York State libraries receiving over $8 million. The impact of their disbandment would have been devastating to communities reliant on these services.

AG James emphasized the importance of these agencies in supporting minority-owned businesses, protecting workers’ rights, and maintaining cultural institutions like libraries and museums. She vowed to continue fighting against efforts to dismantle basic services essential to New Yorkers.

This ruling is a significant win for public interest and serves as a rebuke to the administration’s attempts to undermine Congressionally funded federal agencies. The coalition includes attorneys general from Rhode Island, Hawaii, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.