A recent court ruling from a Democrat-aligned activist judge has resulted in a directive for President Donald Trump’s administration regarding AmeriCorps.
The ruling follows a lawsuit involving 24 states and the District of Columbia.
As Slay News reported, the Trump administration gutted the vast majority of the federal workforce at the Bill Clinton-era AmeriCorps agency in April.
Roughly 75% of AmeriCorps’ staff were placed on administrative leave as the Trump administration overhauls the agency.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, a Joe Biden appointee, mandates the reinstatement of funding and employment opportunities.
The judge argues that the Trump administration likely circumvented federal procedures by not issuing the proper notifications prior to executing significant budget reductions and staff terminations at AmeriCorps, as Fox News reports.
The legal dispute originated from actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the Trump administration, which included placing a large portion of AmeriCorps staff on leave and announcing substantial funding cuts.
AmeriCorps was set to lose approximately $400 million in grants, much of which was found to be funnelled to left-wing causes.
In response to these cuts, the states and D.C. filed a lawsuit arguing that the rapid reduction in funds and personnel was not only detrimental but also lacked legal authority.
They also claim that the cuts could inflict irreparable harm on communities reliant on AmeriCorps’s service programs.
Judge Boardman’s preliminary injunction does not ensure that the jobs will remain indefinitely.
However, it does require that any future reductions must comply with appropriate procedures, namely, providing adequate notice to those affected.
This ruling applies exclusively to the states that participated in the lawsuit, reflecting the specific legal standing and grievances put forward in the case.
New York’s anti-Trump Democrat Attorney General Letitia James celebrated the judgment.
“Over 200,000 AmeriCorps staff and volunteers work hard every day to care for our communities,” she stated.
AmeriCorps, originally established during the Clinton era, is meant to support activities in various communities, including responding to natural disasters and aiding vulnerable populations such as seniors and veterans.
However, much of the taxpayer-funded program’s budget often ends up in the hands of Democrat-aligned initiatives.
Pennsylvania’s Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro also voiced approval of the ruling.
Shapiro argues that AmeriCorps helps with “environmental maintenance.”
With this judicial order, many of those who were previously placed on leave are expected to return to their roles.
The implications of Judge Boardman’s ruling are substantial, underscoring the judiciary’s efforts in undermining presidential authority.
