Governor Josh Shapiro joins 23 state attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the dismantling of AmeriCorps.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, in conjunction with Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear and attorneys general from 23 additional states, has initiated a legal action against the Trump administration concerning extensive cuts to AmeriCorps, the federal community service program responsible for managing numerous volunteers across the nation.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Maryland on the 100th day of Trump’s presidency. It argues that the Department of Government Efficiency, under Elon Musk’s oversight, has illegally commenced the dismantling of AmeriCorps, a program that was established and financed by Congress. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings are among the plaintiffs in this legal challenge, which also includes attorneys general from states such as New York, California, Michigan, Illinois, and Arizona.

The lawsuit’s filing highlighted that the President lacks the authority to dismantle an agency that is statutorily obligated to administer allocated grants and fulfill its designated duties. New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General noted that the state has experienced a loss exceeding million in federal funding aimed at supporting AmeriCorps programs due to the administration’s cuts.

Although a spokesperson for Governor Shapiro was unavailable for immediate comment, it is understood that Shapiro is acting in his official capacity as governor as part of this collective legal effort.

AmeriCorps, established under former President Bill Clinton in 1993 as a domestic parallel to the Peace Corps, engages individuals aged 18 to 26 in ten-month service projects in exchange for a modest living stipend and a higher education grant exceeding ,300. AmeriCorps volunteers have been instrumental in disaster relief efforts with the Red Cross, construction of homes with Habitat for Humanity, and providing support in various community service roles.

The cuts commenced in mid-April, when the Department of Government Efficiency began investigating AmeriCorps for alleged financial mismanagement. This resulted in the immediate recall of 750 members from critical disaster preparedness and poverty alleviation projects. Additionally, approximately 85% of AmeriCorps federal employees were placed on administrative leave, with expected layoffs to commence by June 24. On a related note, an order was issued to terminate 0 million in grants benefiting over 1,000 community service programs nationwide, affecting numerous initiatives in Pennsylvania.

For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Pennsylvania was allocated over .3 million in federal funding to support 120 AmeriCorps programs. Terminations affected 26 of the 28 projects managed directly by the state, impacting approaches to early childhood literacy in major cities and mental health programs for children.

Philadelphia alone received more than .9 million to support 1,368 AmeriCorps volunteers, marking the highest funding allocation within the state. Local community leaders have expressed their dismay, noting the detrimental impacts of these funding cuts on service initiatives. Bipartisan criticism has emerged in Congress, with U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and Brian Fitzpatrick co-sponsoring legislation aimed at safeguarding AmeriCorps from federal budget cuts.

As discussions continue surrounding the future of AmeriCorps, the broader implications of these cuts on community-level support and volunteerism remain a contentious point of concern.