Press Release  AG Campbell Sues Trump Administration To Protect Libraries And Museums

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today joined a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in suing the Trump Administration to stop the dismantling of three federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers, and minority-owned businesses nationwide.  

In March, the Trump administration issued an Executive Order that would dismantle federal agencies created by Congress that collectively provide hundreds of millions of dollars for programs in every state. As a result of this Executive Order, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) – one of the targeted agencies – has placed almost its entire staff on administrative leave and will cut hundreds of grants for state libraries and museums.  

The coalition seeks to stop the targeted destruction of the IMLS and two other agencies targeted in the administration’s EO that millions of Americans rely on, especially those in underserved communities. 

“From the Berkshires to Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is home to some of the best public libraries and museums in the country that employ residents, provide educational opportunities and resources, and drive our creative economy," said AG Campbell. "As we continue to address issues of affordability, we once again have to hold the Trump Administration accountable for unlawful actions directed at our economy and cultural institutions."    

This Executive Order is the federal administration’s latest attempt to dismantle federal agencies in defiance of Congress. The coalition are seeking to stop the dismantling of three agencies targeted in the administration’s Executive Order: 

1. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which supports museums and libraries nationwide through grantmaking, research, and policy development;
2. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which promotes the growth and inclusion of minority-owned businesses through federal financial assistance programs; and 
3. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), which promotes peaceful resolution of labor disputes. 

The coalition asserts that dismantling these agencies will have devastating effects on communities in Massachusetts and across the nation that rely on them to provide important services to the public, including funding their libraries, promoting minority-owned businesses, and protecting workers’ rights. 

 In 2024, IMLS invested $180 million in libraries nationwide under its Grants to States Program. The administration’s action will threaten hundreds of library staff across the country that provide essential services to their communities. 

In addition, the Trump Administration has cut the staff of MBDA from 40 to just five individuals and has effectively stopped issuing new grants, hurting vulnerable small businesses across the country. The FMCS has slashed its staff from roughly 200 to fewer than 15 individuals and announced the termination of several of its core programs, making it harder for unionized workers to secure their rights. 

The coalition argues that the Executive Order violates the Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act by eliminating the programs of agencies without any regard for the laws and regulations that govern each source of federal funding. The coalition argues that the President cannot decide to unilaterally override laws governing federal spending, and that this Executive Order unconstitutionally overrides Congress’s power to decide how federal funds are spent. 

This lawsuit is led by the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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